LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



ARNOLD OFWINKELRIED 



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LIFE STORIES FOR TOUNG PEOPLE 



ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 



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CT^HE Winkelried statue 

(jifter a fhotagraph by Gucchne, Rome) 



Life Stories for Toung People 



ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 

THE HERO OF SEMPACH 

Translated from the German of 
Gustav Hocker 

BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Translator of ' ' Memories, ' * etc. 

WJTH THRE£ ILLUSTRATIONS , 




CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG & CO. 

1908 



UB8ARY of CONGRESS^ 
I wo CoDies Kectj/vefl 

AUG 13 1908 

;L.i....i «nra;. t V .i,M.i, .U w 






Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 

J908 

Published August Z2, 1908 



THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. 



Crsn^lattor'j* f refare 



1/ — ) ( — N^HE story of Arnold of Winkelried, the 
famous hero of Switzerland, and of his 
heroic death in the battle of Sempach, 
will never lose its interest. The learned 
iconoclasts, having the advantage of the obscurity of 
fourteenth-century history, may continue to declare 
that he is only a legendary hero, as they have 
asserted of William Tell, but Winkelried, like Tell, 
still lives in the hearts of the Swiss people as the 
actual embodiment of patriotic devotion, love of 
freedom, and love of humanity, and thus he will 
remain in the hearts of men for all time. The 
narrative in this little volume might be called a 
collection of short sketches illustrating the great 
events of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 
with Winkelried as their dominant figure and con- 
necting link. The author tells us the legends 
which cluster around Pilatus, and good father Vin- 
centius's thrilling story of the battle of Morgarten. 

[V] 



4- TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE -^ 

He shows us how a mystery play was performed. 
The ravages of the Black Death are vividly set 
forth. Then he tells us of the robber knights 
and Duke Leopold's tournament at Basle. He 
describes in detail the curious methods employed 
in storming a castle, introduces Winkelried in his 
daring adventure as a beggar monk, and closes the 
graphic story with a thrilling account of the famous 
Sempach battle and the way in which Winkelried 
gave himself to death by making a passage for the 
Confederates through the forest of Austrian spears. 
There is no nobler example of patriotic devotion 
and sublime courage in history. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, May i, 1908. 



[vi] 



€tinttnt& 



Chapter Pack 

I Knight Schrutan and the Pilatus . . ii 

II The Battle of Morgarten 31 

III The Mystery Play at Engelberg . . 50 

IV The Black Death 58 

V The Robber Knights 72 

VI The Tournament at Little Basle . . 94 

VII Storming of a Lithuanian Castle . . 108 

VIII The Beggar Monk 119 

IX Winkelried's Heroic Death . . . . 131 

Appendix 140 



[vii] 



3Elltt£itrattoiTSi 



The Winkelried statue Frontispiece 

Monument commemorating the Battle of 

Sempach 54 

Winkelrled's heroic death at the Battle of 

Sempach 122 



[ix] 



^rnol^ of ^infeelrie^ 

Chapter I 
Knight Schrutan and the Pilatus 



j/" ) I — ^HE Lake of the Four Forest Cantons, 
lying amidst the four cantons, Uri, Un- 
terwalden, Schwyz, and Lucerne, from 
which it derives its name, surpasses all 
other Swiss lakes in the grandeur of its natural beauty 
and in the wealth of its historical associations. 

In the year 13 15, which is about the period in 
which the events of this story occurred, there was 
upon this lake a little flotilla, which seems insignifi- 
cant enough when compared with the powerful 
fleets of the present day. At that time the cantons 
of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden were frequently 
engaged in hostilities with their neighbor Lucerne, 
which still adhered to Austria. Their encounters 
took place on skiff's and boats and clumsy vessels 
along the shores of the lake. One big, sharp- 
pointed, oaken craft, called the " Goose," was the 
flagship of the Lucerne fleet. The " Fox " was the 



•$• ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED -^ 

flagship of Uri. One day the Lucerne flagship 
ventured too near the shore and was struck by a 
millstone which the Unterwaldeners hurled down 
upon it from a watch-tower, and which so dis- 
abled it that Lucerne's naval power was virtually 
destroyed. 

At the point where the lake makes a wide bend 
to the south into the very heart of the Alps lies 
Unterwalden, among precipitous clifi's and mountain 
pastures. It is a majestic sight when the mists clear 
away on a bright summer's morning and the Rigi, 
Pilatus, the rocky summits of Schwyz, and the 
range of mountain-peaks extending even to the dis- 
tant dazzling Jungfrau and the Black Monk are 
revealed in the brilliant atmosphere. The name 
" Unterwalden " was applied to this picturesque re- 
gion in modern times. It is not known what it 
was called in ancient times, but there can be no 
doubt that it was inhabited, as it contains unusu- 
ally rich pasturage for animals and off'ers favorable 
opportunities for hunting and fishing. 

Not far away from the lake is the little city of 
Stans, situated in a luxuriant garden, whose fruit- 
fulness is unimpaired, although from the middle of 
November until the beginning of February the sun 



<:♦ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

is visible only in the morning between Briefenberg 
and the Staufer Horn, and in the afternoon never 
gilds the roofs of the little place; 

At the eastern extremity of the city stands, even 
to this day, the Winkelried house, to which we 
shall now introduce our readers. They must im- 
agine themselves in the middle of the fourteenth 
century. Although it had ample sleeping-rooms, 
spacious closets, and large, gayly colored chests in 
which the linen and garments were kept, as well as 
other conveniences, a single room was the family's 
living apartment. A long wooden bench stood 
against the wall, in front of which was a large oaken 
table with massive feet. Some wooden chairs and 
a leathern arm-chair completed the furniture. Tank- 
ards, dishes, and glasses were arranged on shelves, 
and some silver vessels were enclosed in a beauti- 
fully carved cabinet. A holy-water ewer was fast- 
ened near the door, and a crucifix hung between the 
windows. Instead of a stove there was an open 
coal fire, into which thyme was sprinkled to diffuse 
a pleasant odor throughout the room. Several tiny 
cages were suspended from the low ceiling. The 
sprightly little singers which occupied them were 
quiet now, having gone to sleep with their heads 

[13] 



-$• ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED •$• 

tucked under their wings, for it was evening and 
the room had grown dark. 

A woman of middle age was seated in the easy- 
chair absorbed in meditation. A boy sat in her lap, 
and as he tenderly embraced his mother his eyes 
turned to the window through which he saw the 
moon rising over the peaks of Pilatus and the sum- 
mit of the Felsenhorn, outlined like a sharp black 
shadow against the sky. 

" Little mother," said the boy, breaking the 
silence, " why is that mountain called * Pilatus * ? 
That is the name of the Roman governor who de- 
livered our Saviour to the Jews." 

" You are right, my Arnold. The mountain was 
named for him," replied his mother. 

" Why ? " asked Arnold. 

" Pontius Pilate, who was the Governor of Judea, 
administered the affairs of the province so corruptly 
that the Emperor Tiberius recalled him to Rome 
and shut him up in prison," said his mother. 
" Rather than suffer this disgrace, Pilate took his 
own life. As he was a self-murderer his body was 
thrown into the Tiber. A terrible tempest of rain 
and hail at once swept down upon Rome. For 
weeks the thunder crashed and shook the city. The 
[H] 



^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN •$• 

people at last decided that the storm was caused by 
the dead Pilate, so they took the body from the 
river and carried it away. But wherever they de- 
posited it — in the Rhone or in other rivers — vio- 
lent storms and tempests raged, as they had done 
in Rome. At last they brought the body here and 
threw it into the little solitary lake near the top of yon- 
der lofty, rugged, and almost inaccessible mountain. 
It was then called the Pilatus Lake and at a later day 
the name was also given to the mountain. Before 
that the mountain was called Fracmont, which 
comes from a Latin word signifying its jagged ap- 
pearance. The lake has neither inlet nor outlet. 
It is not increased by the rain or the snow, nor does 
the most intense Summer heat lower it. It does 
not freeze in Winter. The wind does not agitate 
its dark surface, but when its quiet is disturbed by 
human hands frightful tempests arise." 

" Does the dead Pontius Pilate who is buried 
there make these storms ? " said Arnold. 

" Yes, my child. At times he rises from the lake 
and sits upon a mountain-peak, and from thence 
stirs up the storms which spread such devastation 
over the country. But once there came a wander- 
ing scholar — " 

[15] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

" What kind of persons are those ? " asked the 
lad. 

"They are scholars who go from one school to 
another, pursuing their studies, now in this one, 
now in that. They are poor, and the ecclesiastics 
and other religious people whom they visit in their 
wanderings support them. Last Summer one of 
them ate at our table." 

" Was he a scholar ? " asked Arnold, in great 
surprise ; " why, he was as big as father, and had a 
long beard, besides." 

" Yes," replied his mother, with a smile ; " it is 
not unusual for these learned beggars to remain in 
the schools until their thirtieth year, when they some- 
times get positions as under-teachers." 

" One of these travelling scholars came, you were 
saying," said Arnold, thus recaUing to his mother 
the interrupted story. 

" Yes, one of them came into our neighborhood 
who knew how to exorcise evil spirits, and the val- 
ley people promised to pay him well if he would 
quiet Pilate. The student betook himself to the 
lake and hurled such powerful incantations at him 
that he promised to rest quietly in the lake upon 
condition that he might rise from his watery grave 
[16] 



-^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

one day in each year. Since that time, upon every 
Good Friday, Pilate leaves the lake and sits in his 
red robes of office as he used to do. During the 
remainder of the year he is quiet and invisible. 
But when he becomes provoked by unusual noises 
in the vicinity of the lake, or stones are thrown into 
it, then the clouds gather about the mountains, ter- 
rible storms break loose, and the lake emits fiery 
exhalations. On this account people are forbidden 
to go near the lake lest some one may ignorantly or 
maliciously provoke him and thereby endanger this 
region as well as himself" 

The mother ceased. The boy gazed steadily at 
the mysterious mountain, at that instant illuminated 
by the rising moon and gleaming like silver in its 
snowy drapery. 

" Do you know anything more about Pilatus ? " 
he asked, after a little. 

" No, my darling, I have told you all that people 
say about it." 

The story greatly excited Arnold. He wanted 
to hear more of the same thrilling kind. A dim 
recollection of an extraordinary adventure connected 
with his own family rose in his mind. 

" Little mother," he said, " what was that horrible 

['7] 



4- ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

animal which once lived in this region ? I heard 
you tell about it once, but I have forgotten most of 
the story. I know that a knight called Winkelried 
killed it." 

"That was Henry of Winkelried, your grand- 
father, usually called ' Schrutan.' " 

" Why Schrutan ? " 

** The name was probably given to him by his 
companions in the tournaments ; for like all knights 
he was fond of tilting." 

"If my grandfather was a knight, why are there 
no knights now ? " asked Arnold, raising his head 
from his mother's shoulder and gazing at her 
earnestly. 

"The times have greatly changed," she replied. 
" Once the powerful family of Hohenstaufen ^ ruled 
over the German Empire. It occupied the throne 
more than a hundred years. The emperors fought 
many great battles, and the Winkelrieds, who were 
in their service, were elevated to knighthood. But 
when the Hohenstaufens ceased to rule, an evil 
time ensued. As it was no longer an honor to be 

1 The Hohenstaufens were a princely German family, whose castle was at Ho- 
henstaufen in Wiirtemberg. It furnished sovereigns to Germany and Sicily in the 
twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The last of them was Conradin, who was exe- 
cuted in 1268. 
[18] 



^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

a knight, the Winkelrieds discarded knighthood and 
lived like plain country people." 

"And what is it about the terrible animal and my 
grandfather who was called Knight Schrutan ? " said 
Arnold. 

" Listen," said his mother, as she began to tell 
him the story once more. " You know the Httle 
village of Odwylen, between Stans and the Kern- 
wald. In the mountains near it there is a vast cavern 
which is said to have been occupied by heathens in 
the ancient days. Perhaps they were the old Romans 
who took refuge there because they had committed 
crimes and been banished from their own country. 
About a' century ago a huge dragon had its lair in 
this cavern. It killed both men and beasts. The 
people of the little village, which is called Wylen 
to this day, had to flee, and as it was forsaken and 
desolate it took the name of Odwylen.^ Along 
the roads which lead across the moors and meadows 
between Stans and Sarnen to the little village, not a 
person could be seen, nor were any animals pastured 
there, for the dragon concealed itself in the swamps 
and attacked every living thing. To be safe from 
the monster they laid out new roads, traces of which 

^ "Ode," in German, signifies a desert or wilderness, 

[19] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

are visible even to-day. The people of Unter- 
walden sometimes undertook to attack the dragon, 
but it was always on the alert, and as soon as it 
discovered its enemies it retreated to the mountain 
cavern or some other place where it could defy 
pursuit. It was so agile that it could run up the 
steepest mountain-side as swiftly as a lizard and as 
easily as if it were on level ground. Knight Schrutan 
heard about this dragon. He was no longer in his 
own country, for in his wrath he had slain an Un- 
terwaldener who had wronged him, and he had been 
banished for it. He requested permission to attack 
the dragon, asking no other compensation than the 
remission of his penalty of exile. Being a valiant 
knight, the Unterwaldenqrs granted his petition and 
allowed him to return home. The knight made a 
long spear with a sharp spike for its tip, and at 
once sought the dragon, which he was not long in 
finding. When the monster saw that it had to deal 
with but one man, it rushed upon him with open 
jaws. Knight Schrutan hurled the spear with all 
his strength into its throat, where the spike held it 
securely. Then he drew his sword and smote the 
dragon until, bleeding from numerous wounds, it 
died in terrible convulsions." 
[20] 



•0- KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

Arnold scarcely breathed during the story, so 
spellbound was he. At last a deep sigh escaped 
him. He slid down from his mother's lap and 
stood before her with his arms crossed, impatiently 
awaiting her next words, for he knew the story was 
not yet finished. He was sure there was something 
else, but could not remember what it was. His 
mother continued : 

" When the knight saw that his task was com- 
plete and successful he raised both arms and praised 
God for His personal assistance. But, alas ! he 
kept his sword in his hand and the poisonous 
blood of the dragon dripped upon the unprotected 
parts of his body. A few days afterwards the val- 
iant hero died, mourned by all the people of that 
region, whom he had rescued from the ravages of 
the cruel monster." 

Arnold stood lost in thought as his mother 
brought the story to an end. Had his brave 
ancestor gone forth to battle, and had he returned 
victorious, and been overwhelmed with gold and 
honors by the grateful Unterwaldeners it would 
not have been half so inspiring to the lad as this 
tragic fate of the hero who paid for his brave deed 
with his life. Young as he was, he too longed to 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED -5^ 

achieve something great and bequeath to others a 
legacy of glorious memories. The spark of self- 
sacrifice was kindled at that instant in the boy's 
breast, not to be extinguished except with his last 
breath. 

" Little mother," cried Arnold, with glowing 
cheeks, "I will be such a knight!" 

His mother smiled, but made no reply. She 
knew the Winkelrieds' love of freedom. She knew, 
also, how different it was from the conceptions of 
freedom in the days of chivalry, and she was sure 
that Arnold's was the true Winkelried love. She 
had long been aware of the boy's heroic spirit, but 
she had never thought of him as an armed warrior 
in the field. 

That night Arnold dreamed of nothing but PI- 
latus, the Knight Schrutan, and the dragon, and 
they were mingled together in the strangest manner. 
He dreamed he was on Lake Pilatus and saw the 
knight engaged in a desperate struggle with the 
dragon. Nearer and more near the hero forced 
the monster to the water's edge, and with one last 
desperate effort he drove it into the gloomy lake, 
which rose high above the sinking reptile. The 
sky was instantly overspread with black clouds. 

[22] 



4^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

The region was enveloped in darkness, and, accom- 
panied by deafening crashes of thunder, Pilate rose 
from the lake in his red robes, holding in his hand 
a spear set with sharp spikes, and making menacing 
gestures at the knight. Schrutan plunged into the 
lake without hesitation, and notwithstanding his 
heavy armor, breasted the waves with strong arms, 
prepared to struggle with the evil spirit. Before he 
could reach him, however, the water changed to 
dragon's blood in which the knight was overwhelmed. 
On the next day, Florian Habli, Arnold's friend 
and playmate, came to see him. Notwithstanding 
Florian's father was poor and had to earn a living 
for his large family by fishing and felling trees, 
Arnold preferred him to all the other boys, and 
admired his courage, though Florian sometimes 
was bolder in words than in action. The two boys 
at first indulged in a vigorous snowball fight. Then 
they made a snow man, and when it was finished. 
Arnold placed a hat upon its head. As this re- 
minded him of the cloud caps which at times cov- 
ered the summit of Pilatus, he called the snow man 
the wicked Pontius Pilate, and bade Florian help him 
to destroy Pilate. Both lads began a fierce bom- 
bardment of the snow man, and kept it up until it 

[23] 



4- ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

was reduced to a shapeless mass. Then Arnold 
told Florlan about Schrutan and his adventure ; and 
he said he would like to encounter a dragon, but 
unfortunately there were no more of them in that 
neighborhood. 

" Do you really mean to say that you, such a little 
fellow, would really fight a dragon ? " rather con- 
temptuously replied Florian, who was half a head 
taller than Arnold. " Why, it would bury you in 
the cavity of one of its teeth." 

Arnold, with equal contempt, answered back : 
" You shall yet see what I will do. And I shall 
not kill a dragon," he said, with a glance at the 
fragments of the snow man. "The wicked Pilate 
is up there in the lake. He sends storms over the 
land, which destroy the crops just as the dragon 
killed men and beasts. He rises from the lake every 
Good Friday, and then we can attack him." 

" Have you the courage to do it ? " said Florian, 
incredulously. 

"Yes, I have," replied Arnold, in a manner so 
serious that Florian was deeply impressed. He 
stated the perils of such an undertaking to his com- 
panion, and also informed him that no one was 
allowed to go near the banks of the lake. But 



^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN •$• 

Arnold was not to be dissuaded from his purpose. 
He replied by setting forth with such enthusiasm 
the duty of some one to perform the heroic deed 
of ridding the region of the evil spirit that Florian 
resolved not to be outdone by his brave comrade. 
He decided on the spot to accompany him on his 
dangerous expedition, and to help him to overcome 
Pilate. The two lads talked of nothing else from 
day to day, and carefully guarded their secret. 
Florian agreed to all the details of the plan and 
worked them out assiduously. Most of his time 
was spent in devising the weapons they should use. 
He was eager to construct a catapult, like those 
used to batter down the walls of fortresses, but 
found it impossible. Then he considered other 
methods of attack. He thought of Greek fire, but 
he did not know how to make it. At last he 
thought of a thunder-machine, for he had heard 
that these machines, by some mysterious force, 
could hurl great iron balls. But as all his plans 
proved impracticable, he next began to devise meth- 
ods of protection against the enemy's attack which 
would make up for the lack of these terrible weapons, 
— such as an invulnerable coat of mail, or some 
wonderful ointment which could be rubbed on the 

[25] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

body from head to foot, and make the skin as hard 
as horn. 

Arnold listened to all of Florian's suggestions 
without making any reply. He had long since set- 
tled the whole matter himself. His courage was 
sufficient armor for him, and his weapon was the 
simple sling, with which David smote the giant 
Goliath. He was sure he could overcome Pilate if 
he had a fair chance, and to make sure of it he prac- 
tised with the sling until he became so expert that 
he could hit any mark within stone's throw. 

The two little adventurers impatiently awaited 
the spring-time, which would bring Holy Week 
and the eventful day. The mountains took on fresh 
tints. The sky was gorgeously colored, and the 
atmosphere so transparent that the most distant 
mountains seemed near by. There was a certain 
relaxation in the air and a peculiar rustle in the 
woods. The dwellers in the valley went around anx- 
iously and extinguished the fire on every hearth, for 
these manifestations of nature were the harbingers 
of the violent Fohn. This dreadful wind (the 
Fohn) sweeps down from the mountains upon the 
valleys, but gentle Spring follows in its train. 
The Fohn melts the Winter snows even more 
[z6] 



-^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

rapidly than the sun, on which account it is called 
the "snow-eater," and its warm breath imparts new 
life to the grasses and buds. 

The valley was already clothed in tender green 
when Good Friday came. On that eventful morn- 
ing, armed only with his sling, Arnold and his 
companion-at-arms set out for Lake Pilatus. Ar- 
nold did not know the way, but Florian was familiar 
with it. His godfather, Peter Ruttimer, whose 
duty it was to keep strangers away from it, had 
sometimes taken Florian with him, so that he knew 
the road, and now and then had even been near the 
lake. 

After a troublesome and painful tramp of several 
hours, climbing up steep places on all fours, and 
frequently stopping to rest, the venturesome lads 
reached the accursed water, enclosed all round with 
gloomy forests. Florian would have greatly pre- 
ferred to abandon the expedition, of which he was 
growing very tired, and visit his godfather; but 
Arnold's cool contempt of every danger deeply 
impressed him and strengthened his wavering 
courage. 

There was not a ripple on that gloomy water; 
not a trace of Pilate, who should have been sitting 

[27] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

there in his official robes, was to be seen. Florian, 
after all, was right when he said that Pilate would 
not allow any one to see him. 

" You see, he does not come," whispered Florian, 
after they had waited a long time. 

" He will come yet," replied Arnold ; and to ex- 
pedite the wished-for moment he picked up a large 
stone, and before Florian could stop him, hurled 
it into the lake with all his might. It struck with 
a great splash. With a loud outcry, brave Florian 
took to his heels and ran away as fast as he could. 

Arnold, however, was not in the least disturbed. 
After waiting a little while, he sent Pilate a second 
invitation. He repeated it a dozen times, making 
longer pauses between the throws so as to give him 
time to consider it. His efforts were useless. He 
could not even rouse the sluggish water into activity 
again. But he did not mind that, for he was certain 
that Pilate was in the lake. At last he decided that 
more energetic measures were necessary to entice 
him to the surface. He arranged for a general 
bombardment by collecting a veritable arsenal of 
stones. When he had piled them up in a small 
pyramid he began operations. He hurled one stone 
after another into the lake and kept up the assault 
[z8J 



^ KNIGHT SCHRUTAN ^ 

with such vigor that the sweat poured down his face. 
But Pilate treated these unprecedented insults with 
silent contempt. While Arnold was making prepa- 
rations to renew the bombardment, for which he was 
collecting fresh ammunition, he heard footsteps rap- 
idly approaching. Turning round, he saw the pow- 
erful figure of Peter Ruttimer, and Florian, who had 
turned informer, by his side. 

The guardian of Pilatus had already thrown up 
his hands in dismay when he noticed that the water 
of the lake had been disturbed by some one throw- 
ing stones. White with rage, he rushed after the 
malefactor. Little he cared that that malefactor's 
ancestor was a knight. He would have liked 
to give him a sound whipping on the spot, but 
refrained, fearing that Arnold would make an out- 
cry which would only add another offence to his 
disobedience of orders ; so he contented himself by 
hissing out the maledictions which herdsmen employ 
when their animals are refractory, after which he 
drove both boys down the mountain. He would 
have had the legal penalty imposed upon Arnold 
had not his godson also been concerned in the 
offence. 

Nearly two hundred and fifty years later, imitators 

[^9] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED <> 

of these boys went to the lake. Johann Miiller, 
the Lucerne magistrate, climbed to the notorious 
spot with many others. They shouted to Pilate to 
arise from his watery grave, and they threw stones 
into the lake ; but neither Pilate nor the tempest 
appeared. Some walked into the water to see if 
it was bottomless or would emit fiery exhalations, as 
was the general belief. Several years later the lake 
was drained, — only an ugly and dangerous morass 
remaining. The herdsmen, however, did not give 
up their belief in the legend. For a long time an 
old custom prevailed among them of shouting an 
incantation every evening through their milk-funnels 
to prevent Pilate from harming them or their ani- 
mals during the night. 



[3°: 



Chapter II 
The Battle of Morgarten 



A, BOUT ten miles distant from Stans, and 
A\ high above the glistening Lake of the 
^^==\\ Four Forest Cantons, is a somewhat 
^ f-^ long valley, about three miles in width, 
surrounded by huge mountains, among which the 
Titlis is the loftiest. A pastoral village occupies 
the right bank of the Aar,^ which furnishes it with 
fresh spring water. Both the valley and the village 
take the name of Engelberg "^ from the Benedictine 
monastery, established there in 1120. Its founder 
was the wealthy and childless Baron Conrad of 
Seldenbiiren. He gave the valley, which was one 
of his possessions, to the monastery, besides endow- 
ing it with valuable property in Zurichgau. " En- 
gelberg" is the equivalent of the Latin name, 
" Mons Angelorum," which Pope Calixtus the 
Second gave to the monastery. 

* The Aar, or Aare, rises in the Bernese Oberland and flows into the Rhine. 
Its length is about 1 70 miles. 

2 Engelberg is now a health resort in the Canton of Unterwalden, Switzerland, 
south of Lucerne. It still has a Benedictine Abbey. 

[31] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

The entire valley was tributary to the monastery. 
Every household had to furnish it a Shrovetide 
fowl or thirty eggs. When a valley person died, 
his heir had to give the monastery the best pair of 
cattle left by the deceased, as well as the clothes he 
last wore to church. Twice a year the Abbot went 
to the castle at Zurichgau, belonging to the monas- 
tery, to administer justice. Eight days previous to 
the journey, those of the same rank and fief, and 
belonging. to the same order, between the Reuss and 
the Rhine, were invited to accompany him. The 
Abbot, on these journeys also took his chaplain, a 
provost, a priest in ordinary, and a knight with three 
hounds and a hawk. When the Abbot stopped 
at a house, the housewife had to receive him at her 
door, with a loaf in one hand and a fowl in the 
other, the fowl being for the hawk and the loaf for 
the hounds. She must also provide a roast, a suffi- 
cient number of fowls, and enough of good Alsatian 
wine for the dinner of the Abbot and his company, 
and if he remained over night, the farm attached to 
the place had also to furnish fowl. 

Berthold of Winkelried was abbot at the time of 
our story, and his two sisters, Adelheid and Elspeth, 
were in charge of the convent, which was also located 
[32] 



•$• BATTLE OF MORGARTEN ^^ 

in the valley. As the brother and sisters were 
near relatives of Arnold, our hero, he was sent to 
the famous school of the Benedictine monastery to 
acquire his education and to become thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the history of the fatherland, and 
thereby acquire the inspiration of its struggles and 
heroic deeds. 

The original sources of this history are lost in 
the traditions of the past. The first inhabitants of 
Switzerland probably were the Raetians. They 
were followed by the Helvetians, a Celtic tribe 
which occupied the plains, leaving the Raetians 
only the mountains. Both these tribes were subju- 
gated by the Romans in the first century of our era, 
who laid out the first roads and established settle- 
ments. Eastern Switzerland was assigned to the 
Raetians, who belonged to Italy, and western to 
the Gauls. The name "Helvetia" disappeared 
in the third century. When the great migrations 
occurred, which built up new empires and pulled 
down old ones, the fierce Huns first invaded the 
country. Following them, the Burgundians con- 
quered the western part, whereupon the Ostro- 
goths took possession of the southern and the 
Alamanni of the northern part. All these tribes 
3 [33] 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED -^ 

in turn were subjugated by the Franks/ who not 
only overran the country, but estabhshed Frankish 
advowsons there. Athough the Alpine people 
were subject to them yet they retained a cer- 
tain independence, and Charles the Great granted 
them many privileges, for they had rendered him 
important service in his Italian wars. After the 
dissolution of the great Frankish empire the eastern 
part of Switzerland was acquired by the Duchy of 
Swabia and the western by the newly organized 
kingdom of Burgundy. Subsequent to this, the 
German sovereigns took over the country and per- 
mitted the house of Zaringen to administer it. 
During the reign of the Emperor Frederick the 
Second (121 5-1250) the Swiss were subordinate to 
the Empire and free from the exactions of the land- 
owners, but after the extinction of the Hohenstaufen 
dynasty, the imperial power declined. Ecclesiastics 
and non-ecclesiastics, counts, and princes sought to in- 

^ Rastia was a province of the Roman Empire, and its inhabitants were moun- 
taineers. It was conquered by Tiberius in 15 b. c. The Helvetians were a 
Celtic tribe living near Lake Geneva, and were conquered by Cjesar. The Huns 
were a Mongolian race which invaded Europe in the fourth century. Their 
greatest leader was Attila. The Ostrogoths were the Eastern branch of the Gothic 
race, and were subjugated by the Huns. The Alamanni were a German race, 
whose territory in the third century included Alsace and part of Eastern Switzer- 
land. " Franks" was a name assumed by a confederation of German tribes. 

134] 



^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN *$» 

crease their possessions and revenues at the expense 
of their neighbors ; and the Swiss cities, as well as the 
country people, who had previously resisted thraldom, 
were forced to protect themselves by making individ- 
ual alliances with their oppressors. Thus it happened 
that Zurich and Uri united with the counts of 
Hapsburg. Schwyz made another aUiance. When 
Count Rudolph of Hapsburg * was elected to the 
imperial throne, 1273, he endeavored to enlarge his 
possessions. Several Swiss cities which had been 
loyal to the Hapsburgs and had fought so stoutly 
in Rudolph's campaigns began to fear for their own 
security ; but in the last year of Rudolph's life 
(1291) the men of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden 
met and organized " the Everlasting League," under 
the provisions of which they agreed to protect 
each other from a common enemy. They also 
agreed to recognize no local officials who had bought 
their positions or who were strangers in the country. 
Following their example, the people of every valley 
and community made the same agreement. 

What the death of the Emperor Rudolph had 
prevented him from accomplishing, Albert, his son 

* Rudolph the First was the son of Albert the Fourth, Count of Hapsburg. 
He succeeded his father in 1239, and was elected German Idng in 1273, being 
the first of the Hapsburg line. 

[35] 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^^ 

and successor, sought to carry out. He aimed to 
dominate the country and make its free people his 
vassals. When at last his tyranny was too severe 
for endurance, three men from the three cantons, 
Werner StaufFacher of Schwyz, Walter Fiirst of 
Uri, and Arnold of Melchthal, and thirty more with 
them, met at the Riitli,* and renewed the League 
of 1 29 1. Two months after this, the tyrannical 
governors were expelled, their brutal rule was ended, 
and the country was free. 

Duke Albert, thirsting for revenge, sought to de- 
stroy the League, but while striving to accomplish 
that purpose he was murdered by his nephew, Duke 
John of Swabia. The German imperial power was 
supplanted by that of the Austrian dukes. Henry, 
the next emperor, was chosen from the Luxem- 
bourg and Bavarian family. He recognized the 
League and confirmed the people in all their rights 
and privileges, which subjected him to the ill-will 
of Albert's sons and grandsons. After Henry's 
death Louis of Bavaria was elected Emperor over 
Frederick of Austria. The Forest Cantons paid 
allegiance to him because they knew they had 

1 The Riitli was a meadow in the mountains of Uri, fifteen miles southeast of 
Lucerne. 

[36] 



-^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN ^ 

nothing good to expect from Austria. Thereupon 
Leopold, Frederick's brother, decided to retaliate, 
and nearly all the nobles of Swabia and German 
Switzerland joined him. 

The events now to be related, which took place 
in 13 1 5, Arnold learned from the lips of an aged 
monk in the Engelberg monastery, who had been 
a participant in them. This still vigorous old man, 
Father Vincentius, was known throughout the valley 
as the " one-eyed," for he had lost his left eye. He 
was not a man of great erudition, but having had 
experience in the art of healing he knew how to 
compound medicines for the sick, and to treat 
wounds and broken limbs. He was reverenced and 
loved by the pastoral folk of the valley, for many 
of them owed their good health and their lives to 
his skill. As he was always ready, by day or by 
night, in good or in bad weather, to visit sick-beds, 
he was looked upon as an angel of mercy. Father 
Vincentius had been wild and reckless in his youth, 
but in his later years he returned to the Church and 
consecrated himself as a Benedictine monk to the 
service of suffering humanity. Arnold was very 
fond of the monk, and his devotion was returned 
by Father Vincentius, who occasionally took the lad 

[37] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

with him on his visits to the sick. Upon one of 
these visits, which took them to the end of the 
valley, the monk told him about the war which 
Leopold waged against the three cantons. 

"In November of the year 13 15," he began, 
" Leopold assembled a large force at Zug, composed 
of the flower of the nobility and his own horsemen. 
There were also many foot soldiers from Lucerne, 
Entlebuch, Aargau, Oberhasli, Frutigen, and other 
places in the hill country. His plan was to have 
the entire cavalry and part of the infantry make the 
main attack upon Schwyz. This force numbered 
fifteen thousand men, and the Duke himself was 
leader. The remaining infantry, six thousand strong, 
commanded by the Austrian marshal. Count Otto 
of Strasburg, was to invade Unterwalden — one 
division attacking the Nidwald by land and water, 
the other the Obwald,^ so as to divide and weaken 
their opponents as much as possible. 

" Two highroads led from Zug to Schwyz, but 
the Schwyzers were uncertain which of them the 
Duke's army would take. When they found at last 
that they were menaced by such an overpowering 

1 Nidwald is the northern part of the Canton of Unterwalden ; Oberwald is 
the southern part. 
[38] 



4' BATTLE OF MORGARTEN -^ 

force they became somewhat alarmed. They had 
made tenders of peace to Leopold through Count 
Frederick of Toggenburg, who was well disposed 
toward them, but the furious Leopold would not 
consider the offers, so that no alternative was left 
them but to defend themselves to the last drop of 
their blood. They summoned all their people to 
arms and fortified the principal passes and roads of 
their little country. They thoroughly strengthened 
Arth, a post station at the southeast corner of the 
Lake of Zug, where it makes a bend, for at that 
point, as at Lucerne, they might be attacked by 
land and water. They constructed strong and well 
protected entrenchments, extending from the Ross- 
berg to the Rigi. If the enemy should break 
through at any one point the entire defence might 
be lost, so particular care was paid to the entrench- 
ments. As there were frequent skirmishes between 
the Schwyzers and the Austrians at Saint Adrian, 
it was thought the main attack would be made 
there, and that Leopold's army might be expected 
on the road to Arth. These skirmishes proved to 
be the first step toward the subsequent success of the 
Confederates. Among the Austrian liegemen from 
Lucerne and Zug there were many who sympathized 

[39] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

with their neighbors and who were serving in the 
Duke's army under constraint. One of these was 
Henry of Hiinenberg, who had friends and relatives; 
among the Schwyzers. Fie determined to give his 
old friends some valuable information. A favorable 
chance offered itself in one of these encounters. 
During its progress he rushed up to the entrench- 
ment and shot an arrow over it, which lodged in a 
tree. A Schwyzer, noticing that a paper was 
wrapped round it, pulled it out. The paper con- 
tained the brief but significant message, ' Defend 
yourselves at Morgarten.' 

" Now they were sure where the attack would be 
made. The Duke chose for his advance that one 
of the two roads that leads to the rocky ridge known 
as the Morgarten, and by way of Stein directly to 
Schwyz. Every effort was made to give the enemy 
a vigorous reception. The Morgarten is a natural 
defence of itself. At the upper part of it extends a 
plain called the * Alte Matte,' intersected by a moun- 
tain ridge. This runs to the Morgarten and pre- 
sents an admirable opportunity for attacking an 
army approaching through the pass upon the flank, 
or to cut him off entirely. In making their plans, 
they followed the counsels of Rudolf Reding, who 
t4o] 



*^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN -^ 

had fought in many of his country's battles in his 
younger life, and now had the valuable experience 
of seventy years. 

" On the evening of November fifteenth their 
companions from Uri and Unterwalden arrived in 
Schwyz. Their numbers all told were thirteen 
hundred — six hundred from Schwyz, four hundred 
from Uri, and three hundred from Unterwalden. 
The rest of their men were engaged in holding im- 
portant places among the passes. As night came 
on, the Httle army took up its march to Morgarten, 
determined to conquer, or, like Leonidas and his 
Spartans, die for freedom and the fatherland. 

" On the following day Duke Leopold left Zug 
with his fifteen thousand men early in the morning. 
After a council with his leaders at the village church 
of Ober Ageri on the way, he decided to make the 
attack the next morning. The Confederates in 
the meantime, following Reding's advice, did not 
remain on the mountain ridge, but crossed the Alte 
Matte to Haslern, so that Morgarten was on their 
right and the little Lake Ageri, extending to the 
southeastern slope of Morgarten, on their left. 

" The Confederates suddenly found an unexpected 
and even unwelcome reinforcement, though it was 
but a mere handful of men." 

[4M 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Father Vincentius paused in his story, apparently- 
absorbed in a reverie, which his little auditor did 
not venture to disturb though he longed to know 
how the impending battle came out. The old man 
muttered a few inaudible words to himself and 
nodded his head twice. At last he resumed: 

" You must know, my son, that the government 
of the Confederates was severe in its administration 
of law and authority. Whoever disobeyed the law 
or disturbed the public peace in any way was 
severely punished. It is so now, and it has always 
been so. There were some young, hot-headed 
fellows who thought it was their mission to reform 
the world, and as one alone could not do it, they 
formed societies for that purpose, which became 
dangerous political parties to the State and the 
community. Such fellows as these were always 
expelled from the country. Just about the time 
of which I am talking a number of young men had 
suffered this penalty for violation of the law ; but 
when they heard of the danger which threatened the 
fatherland, the old home-love was aroused, and 
fifty of them started for the Schwyz frontier to serve 
their country. They sent messengers to the Con- 
federates, asking permission to serve in the ranks of 
[42] 



v> BATTLE OF MORGARTEN ^ 

their countrymen, but their service was declined and 
the messengers were rudely dismissed. I can con- 
firm this, for I was one of those messengers. Yes, 
my son, I was one of the exiles. I was one of those 
heaven-stormers, before I became Father Vincentius. 
Although our offer of help was rejected we still 
loved the fatherland, and so we fifty determined to 
fight for it by ourselves. We knew where to find 
the enemy, and, unknown to any one, we went to the 
Morgarten and took up a position on the ridge to 
the right, called Mattligiitsch — it was early in the 
morning of November sixteenth. In very early 
times a slide had been made there for sending down 
the firewood cut for the Winter. There were plenty 
cf logs at hand, which could be rolled down upon 
the passing enemy with terrible effect, and we also 
collected an ample supply of rocks and boulders. 
A dense fog hung over Lake Ageri and its shores, 
through which we suddenly heard drum-beats and 
trumpet-calls in the distance. Leopold's army was 
approaching, with the fifteen hundred nobles of 
Swabia, Alsatia, Aargau, and Thurgau, heavily 
armed, led by Duke Leopold himself, and Count 
Henry of Montfort-Tettnung in the advance, the 
infantry bringing up the rear. 

[43] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

"Just then the fog lifted and the sun rose. 
Brightly gleamed the polished steel armor and 
helms gayly adorned with many-colored plumes, 
and the dense forest of spears flashed in the dazzHng 
light. It was a fascinating and awe-inspiring spec- 
tacle, but it only strengthened our courage all the 
more. We calmly awaited our opportunity, entirely 
unobserved by the enemy. As the cavalry, little 
recking of any danger, advanced through the narrow 
pass between the Mattligiitsch and Lake Ageri we 
let loose a tremendous avalanche of logs and tree 
trunks, followed by a hail-storm of rocks. They 
were at once plunged into frightful disorder. Many 
men and horses were felled to the earth and crushed. 
The terrified steeds, almost as heavily weighed down 
as their riders, reared and threw them. Count 
Montfort and other leaders attempted to restore 
order and resume the march, but we gave them no 
time. We hurled rocks and logs into their ranks in- 
cessantly and their panic increased every moment. 
Though barely able to extricate themselves, some 
rode back and urged the rear ranks forward. But 
the enemy was overcome with terror. Threats and 
imprecations mingled with groans and screams on 
all sides. The commands of their leaders were not 
even respected. 
[441 



-^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN 4- 

" In the first moment of their rage at this unex- 
pected obstruction to their march, several horsemen 
made a rash attempt to ride along the Haselmatt, 
where they thought they would be least exposed to 
our assault, and a part of the vanguard followed 
them. Observing this movement we redoubled 
our exertions, and most of them were crushed as 
they were toilsomely ascending. We charged upon 
those who escaped, and it was then my eye was 
put out by the thrust of a lance. 

" The thirteen hundred confederates at Haslern, 
who had heard the tumult and din of arms, suddenly 
came up and attacked the cavalry. Their clubs, 
spears, and swords made frightful havoc, and they 
dealt such stout blows with their halberds tJiat even 
the heaviest armed foe could not have withstood 
them. Hundreds struggled in the stream of blood, 
filled with demoniac rage, and many were wounded 
by them in their blind fury or were trampled upon 
by their horses. Some were so paralyzed by fear 
that they made no attempt to defend themselves, 
and were killed. Those who managed to extricate 
themselves took to flight. Several dived into Lake 
Ageri, where most of them were drowned because 
of their heavy armor. Leopold's horsemen, who 

[45] . 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 4* 

rode along so gallantly and proudly only a short time 
before were now killed or fugitives. While the 
great battle-horns of Uri and Unterwalden were 
sounding their blasts of victory, the flying horse- 
men encountered the foot-soldiers just coming up. 
As they did not turn aside quickly enough, the 
latter were trodden underfoot by the wild horses. 
Among the fugitives were the Count of Montfort 
and Leopold. The Duke, usually a brave soldier, 
furiously galloped miles away to Winterthur,^ al- 
though no one was pursuing him ; such was his 
consternation over his surprising defeat. 

At last we met the terrified and panic-stricken 
ranks of the foot-soldiers, but among them were 
men from Zurich and Zug, who fought like lions. 
But they were doomed, for who could withstand the 
impetuosity of the Schwyzers, whose like was only 
to be found among the old German conquerors of 
the Romans. Like grass before the scythe these 
picked men of Zurich and Zug fell in heaps where 
they stood. Surely, heroism like this was worthy 
of a better cause ! The other foot-soldiers fled to 
the adjacent mountains, and at nine o'clock the 
battle of Morgarten was over. 

1 Winterthur, one of the chief manufacturing towns in Switzerland, about 
thirteen miles northeast of Zurich. 
[46] 



^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN ^ 

" The victors could not afford to follow the fugi- 
tives, for during the battle messengers had been sent 
from Unterwalden calling for help. In pursuance 
of their plan of battle Count Otto of Strasburg had 
made the attack on Unterwalden with his six thou- 
sand men. Our division made its approach in boats 
on the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons, and as 
the few defenders of the shore-line were powerless 
to prevent them, they destroyed everything in their 
way throughout the entire Nidwald. The other 
division, led by the Count, invaded the Obwald and 
ravaged it with the rapacity of a flock of wolves. 
After the enemy's main force had been routed at 
Morgarten, the Unterwaldeners went at once to the 
relief of their own hard pressed countrymen and 
hundreds of stout Schwyzers accompanied them. 
They first rescued the Nidwaldeners from their un- 
bidden guests, recovered the spoils, and drove them 
to their boats in such haste that many of them fell 
into the water and were drowned. Then they moved 
against the Strasburg force, which they found at 
Alpnach. As the Austrian count saw the Unterwal- 
deners approaching he was seized with a panic, which 
spread through his entire army ; for he knew that 
the Unterwaldeners were at Morgarten and rightly 

[47] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

concluded that the Duke's army had been defeated. 
The Strasburgers lost courage and began retreating 
without even offering resistance. But some of them 
failed to escape, for the rear column was overtaken 
and several hundred were killed. 

" Thus in one day the Confederates achieved a 
three-fold victory over an army which was sixteen 
times as strong as their own, and which lost fifteen 
hundred horsemen and as many foot-soldiers. The 
loss of the Confederates was small, but three of 
their bravest leaders were found among the dead. 
Horses, costly weapons, rider and horse equipment, 
ten banners, many decorated helmets such as the 
nobility wear to distinguish them from others, were 
among the rich spoils captured. Permission was 
granted to those among the enemy who had dead 
relatives on the field to take their bodies home. 
The rest were buried on the spot. The wounded 
were treated with special kindness. We who had 
made the first assault and prepared the way for 
victory were allowed to remain in the homeland, 
and it was sacred to us ever after." 

Such is the story of the battle at Morgarten as 
the monk, who had participated in the events of 
that memorable day, related it to the lad. Arnold 
[48] 



-^ BATTLE OF MORGARTEN -^ 

gazed with admiration upon this old man who had 
once fought so stoutly and now went about in his 
sandals and black cowl as a messenger of peace. 
He looked with a kind of reverential awe at the 
blinded eye, and the scar seemed to him a mark of 
honor and victory. 

Arnold had always loved his country, but now 
he was deeply moved by a feeling of pride as he 
thought of the skill and courage which had charac- 
terized the deeds of his countrymen, and his heart 
glowed with the fire of patriotism. His most ardent 
wish was to distinguish himself by his devotion to 
home and freedom, to swing the halberd in the hot 
fight, and to drive the enemy from the fatherland. 
He no longer wished to be a knight. 



[49] 



Chapter III 
The Mystery Play at Engelberg 



]/ — I I — ^HE monasteries in those days were the 
nurseries of the arts and sciences. The 
German stage also owes its origin to them. 
The so-called " mystery plays " originated 
in church ceremonials representing the Passion of 
Christ, and were intended to familiarize the people 
with the events narrated by the Evangelists. They 
were given in a semi-musical way by various eccle- 
siastics. One spoke the narrative parts, another the 
words of the Saviour, a third all the words of the 
remaining personages, and the chorus recited those 
of the people and priests. These plays were per- 
formed at the monastery of Engelberg, where young 
Arnold was studying, with all the scenic display 
possible at that time. 

As the Easter festival drew nigh the men of the 
valley came with hammers and hatchets and built 
a large stage upon an open place near the monastery, 
where the life of the Saviour from His birth to His 
resurrection was to be represented before a vast con- 
[50] 



^ THE MYSTERY PLAY ^ 

course of spectators assembled from far and near. 
The stage was open on all sides, for they knew noth- 
ing about wings or curtains in those days. The 
play lasted an entire day. The players were monks 
and students ; but as their number was too small 
because bystanders and crowds of people were 
necessary to the performance, intelligent outsiders 
were called in to help. Upon this account German 
was generally used in place of the earlier Latin 
text. 

When everything was in readiness the performers 
entered and occupied a large semicircle of seats, after 
which the customary blessing was invoked. The 
man chorus pronounced the " Veni sancte Spiritus," 
after which two students sang the " Emitte Spiritum." 
They were dressed to represent angels, with wings on 
their shoulders ; and in this guise the little Arnold, 
the great war hero of after days, took part in the 
sacred performance. 

The angels as well as Christ and his apostles wore 
the mediaeval costumes of that time. The risen 
Christ was clad in the official garments of a bishop — 
the dalmatic and the red chasuble. He also wore 
a crown and carried a cross and banner. This 
costume was intended to express the perpetuity of 

[51] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED -$• 

His episcopal authority as supi*eme head of the 
church. Next appeared Saint Augustine as herald 
or narrator. He- called the assemblage to order, 
pointed out the persons sitting around, explaining 
who each one was, and introduced the play with 
a pious address. In the course of his remarks he 
interested the audience with digressions from the 
story and explanations of the significance of indi- 
vidual events. 

Whenever a player was to appear in a scene he 
rose from his seat, but returned to it as soon as 
he had finished. For instance, Jesus went to John 
to be baptized and then took His seat again. 
Nearly all the events of the life and passion of the 
Saviour were represented in this way, and each im- 
portant scene was followed by the chorus, in Latin. 
King Herod's followers were in his immediate 
vicinity and behind them stood the servants who 
led John the Baptist to prison. At first the apostles 
were distributed about the stage, and the Master was 
obliged to go from one to the other and gather them 
together when He ordered them to follow Him. 
The Jewish people and their priests occupied a 
place set apart for them ; and whenever Jesus 
v^ished to communicate with them, or to instruct 
[52] 



•$• THE MYSTERY PLAY 4^ 

them how to heal the blind, the dumb, the lepers, 
and the cripples, He had to go to them. Upon the 
awakening of Lazarus, at Jesus's entrance into 
Jerusalem, and in some other scenes the people 
flocked to Him. 

All the women mentioned in the sacred story- 
were represented by monks and students. Various 
services were required of the angels. They had to 
demand order with the words " Silentium habete," 
to perform many interpolated sacred songs, and to 
sing certain strophes explaining scenes that had 
not been described by the narrator, but which were 
arranged for music. It was also part of their duty 
to make changes necessitated by the stage condi- 
tions, and to explain the situation clearly. The 
palsied man was in bed, and when Jesus bade him 
arise he took his bed with him. The severed head 
of John was brought upon the stage. The foot- 
washing was literally represented. When the Sa- 
viour entered Jerusalem, both the ass upon which 
He rode and the palm-branches which the people 
strewed along the way, were provided. Everything 
connected with the death of Jesus, from the purple 
mantle and crown of thorns to the lance and the 
sponge, was used. The crowing of the cock, when 

[53] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Peter denied his Master, was imitated, as well as 
the thunder and the rising of the dead. A table 
covered with food and drink served for Herod's 
banquet, before which the boy who represented 
Herodias danced ; it served also for the supper at 
Simon's, when the repentant Magdalen came to the 
Saviour, and for the Last Supper. The tombs of 
Lazarus and Christ, John's prison, and the house 
of Martha and Lazarus were represented, as well as 
the pinnacle of the temple to which Satan led our 
Lord, and the Mount of Olives, set with exotic 
plants. 

While the Chorus sang, living pictures were ex- 
hibited. They represented old Biblical events re- 
lating to the preceding scenes, so as to show the 
close connection of Old and New Testament occur- 
rences. Sometimes events were artistically inter- 
woven : While Jesus prayed on the Mount of 
Olives, Judas was making his treacherous bargain 
with the priests ; and while Pontius Pilate was con- 
ducting, the trial of Jesus, in another scene Peter 
was denying the Lord. 

To relieve the serious treatment of the subject, 
pleasant interludes were devised for the entertain- 
ment of the audience, showing various contrasts of 
[54] 




M\ 



ONUMENT commemorating 
the Battle of Sempach 



-i^ THE MYSTERY PLAY ^ 

life, so that smiles might follow tears. Satan ap- 
peared clad in a wolf-skin, with mighty horns and 
long tail, and must have presented a ludicrous sight. 
A merry fellow announced the arrival of the three 
wise men sent by Herod, and made fun of the timid 
sovereign who was afraid of a Child. Then he 
entered again with the derisive announcement that 
the three wise men would not go back, and a third 
time to say that the Holy Child would be repre- 
sented in the temple. Every time he came in 
Herod would get enraged and threaten to hang 
him for making fun of a king. Another curious 
scene was that in which Peter smote off Mal- 
chus's ear after the seizure of Christ. Malchus 
wofully exclaims : " Alas ! what an outrage ; what a 
shame 1 I have lost my ear. They will call me a 
fool." 

Thereupon Christ said to Peter: "Put up your 
sword, or you will not be safe, for those who seek 
revenge with the sword will perish by it." Then He 
turned to the Jews and said : " Bring the man to 
me. I will replace his ear." 

After Malchus's ear was put on, he said to one 
of his friends : " Tell me truly about my ear. See 
if it is on securely, for it aches very badly." 

[55] 



4- ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

After examining it carefully, the friend assured 
him it was all right. 

Then Malchus expressed his gratitude to the 
Lord, after remarking : " Jesus is a very good man; 
He knows how to put on ears." 

Before the three Marys went to the sepulchre a 
man entered, dressed in the ordinary costume of 
the time, who was a familiar figure at fairs and mar- 
kets. This was the travelling quack. With the 
words, " God greet you, gentlemen all, as the fox 
said when he peeped into the goose-pen," he intro- 
duced himself, and stated that he was in need of a 
helper. Rubin, the merry fellow, applied for the 
situation, and after considerable haggling they agreed 
upon a price. Rubin then opened out the quack's 
stock, helped to prepare the medicines, and ex- 
plained their virtues to the crowd. At last he 
decided he would also have helpers. A second 
buffoon, called Purterbalk, and a third named Lis- 
terbalk, who was hunchbacked, applied ; and while 
they were squabbling together a strophe of the 
three Marys' song was heard, as they were on their 
way to the sepulchre. The three wags advanced to 
the front of the stage and began selling the medi- 
cines, and when the quack thought they were selling 
[56] 



♦$• THE MYSTERY PLAY -$• 

them too cheap, Rubin sharply reprimanded him. 
While the three Marys were still on their way 
the quack lay down and went to sleep ; whereupon 
Rubin made off with his entire stock. His awaken- 
ing and wrathful imprecations ended the humor- 
ous interlude. The three Marys were seen at the 
sepulchre and the angel announced to them the 
resurrection of the Lord. 

The effect of this drama was so overpowering 
that reverence for the sacred associations was not 
affected in the least by these merry interludes, which 
were peculiarly adapted to the childish sentiment of 
the people. The denouement of the play represen- 
ted the arrival of the Saviour in Heaven with a 
number of the elect, and God the Father, sitting in 
His majesty, welcoming them. 



[57] 



Chapter IV 
The Black Death 



WHILE Arnold was staying at the mon- 
astery and approaching young man- 
hood, a terrible calamity visited the 
world and made its way Into the peace- 
ful little valley. Year after year reports had come 
that a frightful pestilence was raging in the eastern 
part of Asia and spreading from country to country. 
Ships laden with rich cargoes were found at sea, 
drifting about and their crews all dead. 

The trade route from China led through central 
Asia to the Tauric coast/ whence the products of the 
Orient were transported to Constantinople, at that 
time the emporium for the three divisions of the 
earth. Over this route the plague spread into all 
lands. The terrible disease first appeared in Europe 
in the maritime cities of Italy, France, and Spain, 
and in the course of three years gradually but surely 
spread all over central Europe, Poland, and Russia, 
climbed the chalk cliifs of England, and ascended to 



' The Crimea. 
[58] 



-^ THE BLACK DEATH ^ 

the extreme northern part of Scandinavia. It was 
attended by strange manifestations, unknown up to 
that time, such as cramps, heart palpitation, lethargy, 
and in some cases delirium. Swellings as large as 
eggs appeared under the arms and knees. Black 
or blue spots came on various parts of the body, 
sometimes large and single, sometimes in small 
groups. At first it was denied that the disease was 
a pestilence, but when the strange malady spread so 
rapidly it was recognized as an actual pestilence. 
There was no other name for it. 

Several causes were assigned for it. It was vari- 
ously attributed to the just wrath of God at the 
wickedness of humanity ; to the influences of the 
heavenly bodies ; to the conjunction of Saturn and 
Jupiter ; to unusual convulsions of nature which 
had either preceded or followed it. Reports had 
long before come from China of great earthquakes, 
sunken mountains, droughts, floods, crop failures, 
and subsequent famines. Syria and Egypt also had 
been visited by earthquakes. The same manifesta- 
tions, followed by raging storms and floods, had 
also appeared in Cyprus and in Naples and other 
cities. Similar convulsions had been experienced 
in Germany. Many houses had been hurled into 

[59] 



-$• ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED •$• 

the Rhine by a great earthquake at Basle. In 
Carinthia, cities and castles had been destroyed. 
As the excited imagination of the people connected 
these events with the dreadful disease, it was natural 
for them to consider these manifestations as the 
cause, and crop failures and famines as the result. 
The pestilence, which so readily found victims 
among people condemned to want, wretchedness, and 
despair, came to be known as the Black Death. 
When it attacked a household it was not contented 
with one victim. Almost every well person who 
breathed the same air as the sick one, or who had 
even touched his clothing, was stricken with it. 
Human science and medical skill were of no avail. 
It was in vain that cities were cleansed of filth and 
offal, and that infected persons were forbidden to 
enter them. Sanitary measures were of no avail. 
Flight was useless, for the terrible malady overtook 
the fleetest and spared neither the distinguished nor 
the insignificant, neither the strong nor the weak, 
neither the layman nor the priest. It was in vain 
that the church framed three prayers, to be offered 
at daybreak, midday, and evening, at the summons 
of the church bells. The mass which Pope Clemens 
the Sixth, who resided at Avignon, arranged for the 
[60] 



^ THE BLACK DEATH 4- 

supplication of divine mercy was fruitless. The 
head of Christendom himself withdrew from contact 
with the ouside world, behind a perpetually burning 
fire of coals. Ceremonial processions were also ar- 
ranged to avert the evil. The people joined them 
in multitudes. Many women walked barefooted, 
clad in sackcloth. Ecclesiastics, brotherhoods carry- 
ing lighted tapers, and guilds bearing banners and 
singing prayers and the litany also marched. Sud- 
denly it was discovered that the number of victims 
was increasing because of the densely crowded 
throngs watching these processions. In the large 
cities people died by hundreds ; in the smaller ones, 
by scores. The closest family ties were dissipated 
like spiders' webs. Brothers forsook brothers, 
wives their husbands. Parents forbore visiting their 
sick children. The best of friends avoided each 
other on the streets. 

The sick were deserted save by their attendants, 
and the service of the latter was so difficult to pro- 
cure, except at very high prices, — for nurses' lives 
were in constant danger, — that many of the poor 
died absolutely alone. Depositing the dead in the 
church vaults and keeping them over night in the 
houses where they had died were strictly forbidden. 

[6i] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

It was ordered that they should be interred at once ; 
and as the churchyards in the cities were not large 
enough to accommodate them, they were buried by 
thousands in great trenches. Every one expected 
the Black Death any moment. Trade and com- 
merce were paralyzed. Merchants cared no longer 
for the valuables for which they had worked so hard ; 
churches and schools were closed; the administration 
of justice ceased. There were no sounds in the 
factories, no rattle of carriages or cries of venders in 
the streets. The fields were left untilled. There 
was hardly one among the few who stole through 
the empty streets who did not show some sign of 
the awful visitation. Fear, sorrow, and despair were 
manifest in every face. If one wore a beard it was 
unkempt and the hair was long and straggling, for 
no one cared for his looks. Some held small me- 
tallic discs containing medicated sponges to their 
noses, hoping in this way not to inhale the tainted 
air. The few who recovered from the plague were 
regarded as a specially privileged class. They went 
about freely and fearlessly amid dangers, for it was 
something unheard of to have the disease twice. 
But among those who were liable to be attacked any 
instant there were some who were determined to do 
[62] 



^ THE BLACK DEATH ^ 

all they could at this time of universal gloom. 
Compassion and love were stronger in their hearts 
than ever before, and wherever they could be of 
help they were ready with word and deed. 

The plague invaded Switzerland also, and raged 
more violently in its mountain regions than it did 
in the lowlands. The clear, healthy atmosphere 
of the high lying valley of Engelberg did not save it 
from the visitation of this gruesome guest, but it 
only met faces full of spiritual illumination in the 
death shadows which followed its track. Strength- 
ened by holy love and despising danger, the Bene- 
dictines went among the sick and those struggling 
with death, to help the one and administer consola- 
tion to the other. Upon this small spot of earth 
the plague carried off sixteen victims in a single day 
and in four months twenty homes were devastated. 

No one in those days of gloom and despair set a 
brighter example of courage and self-sacrificing love 
than Father Vincentius. It had always been his 
desire to give his life for his neighbors, and now 
the opportunity was granted him. Wherever there 
was sickness he was found performing every needful 
service ; and Arnold, a faithful, courageous helper, 
was by his side. The youth had nothing more to 

[63] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

lose, for both his parents were victims of the plague. 
He had closed the eyes of his uncle Berthold, abbot 
of Engelberg, after his two sisters, Adelheid and 
Elspeth, had passed away. Amid these dreadful 
scenes he had no other feeling than one of the 
deepest sympathy for those whom he visited daily ; 
and death, even in its most terrible shapes, had no 
terrors for him. It was thus he strengthened him- 
self for the heroic deed which was to perpetuate the 
name of Winkelried in the memory of the father- 
land. Side by side with Father Vincentius he 
encountered the plague and often wondered why he 
kept so strong and well. He endured these ex- 
traordinary exertions, which kept him up day and 
night, because of his youthful vigor; but the old 
Benedictine felt his strength failing more and more 
every day. His once upright frame was bowed and 
his face grew thin and sunken. Spiritual strength 
alone sustained his exhausted body. 

While returning to the monastery one evening 
with Arnold, he felt a depression, weariness in his 
feet, and difficulty in breathing, which he attributed 
to the day's exertions. In the night he was visited 
by unpleasant dreams. In one of these he fancied 
he was in a great crowd of men with gray, faded, 
[64J 



^ THE BLACK DEATH 4- 

sightless faces. As they pressed against him, his 
nearest neighbor pushed his elbow into his side 
causing such a stinging pain that he awoke. His 
heart was beating violently. There was a ringing 
in his ears, severe pain in his limbs, and his whole 
body seemed on fire. He placed his hand upon the 
stinging spot — there was a great swelling ! 

Father Vincentius was not alarmed. " The Lord 
calls me," he murmured, and clasped his hands in 
prayer. 

When Arnold entered his cell the next morning 
and found him in bed, he recognized the signs of the 
disease the instant he saw him. He knew, as well 
as any physician, the remedies which should be given 
and he applied them all. With quiet resignation 
the monk awaited dissolution ; but as the disease 
was making rapid progress, it became necessary for 
him to speak at once so that he should be clearly 
understood. 

" Praised be the Lord for his justice ! Praised be 
the Lord in healing as in death," he said to him- 
self. Then, turning to Arnold, he continued : 
" Many are called, but few are chosen. God has 
sent the Black Death to mankind to reserve a 
chosen few among its survivors who shall grow 
5 [65] 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

better by sorrow and nobler by gratitude, and find 
to their great joy what an inestimable boon life is. 
Devote it to good works and offer them to Him. 
You have learned this, my son. You have accom- 
plished it. May God graciously guide you with 
His strong hand through these troubles, so that the 
lofty purpose and noble courage which you have 
displayed so splendidly in this narrow sphere of 
action may be devoted hereafter to the welfare 
of your fatherland. It needs just such men as you 
have already shown yourself to be." Father Vin- 
centius then gave Arnold his blessing and asked for 
the last sacrament which was administered by one 
of the brothers of the order. 

Toward evening his sufferings ended, and that 
night the stars shone upon his grave, where Arnold 
lamented the last dear friend he had. But he must 
live on. So he still breathed the tainted air, still 
waited upon the sick, still placed the dead in 
their coffins ; but the plague did not attack him. 
None of the brothers except his uncle and 
Father Vincentius died, but five students fell vic- 
tims, and one hundred and sixty nuns were car- 
ried from the women's cloisters to the grave in 
four months. 
[66] 



^ THE BLACK DEATH ^ 

One day a young wanderer called at the monas- 
tery and begged for breakfast and a little money. 
It was Florian Habli, Arnold's old-time playmate. 
His father, mother, and sisters had perished, and 
the orphan was forced out into the world to look 
out for himself. 

We have not yet reached the close of these 
terrible scenes. As if victims of the plague itself 
were too few, the despised and hated Jews, who 
lived near the Christians in the large cities, were 
accused by superstitious persons of poisoning the 
water in order to spread the plague and exterminate 
their enemies. These accusations were all the more 
readily believed when it was noticed that the Jews 
abstained from water and were less liable to take 
the disease than the Christians. It mattered not 
to their accusers that it was the Jews' foresight 
which led them to avoid drinking water and that 
their greater moderation in living helped to protect 
them. And yet so many Jews died in Goslar and 
Vienna that their burial places were insufficient, and 
in cities like Leipsic and Magdeburg where no Jews 
resided the plague was as fatal as in other places. 
The popular clamor, however, increased. City 
authorities who harbored Jews were urged to adopt 

[67] 



•$• ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

most cruel measures. The Jews were placed upon 
the rack and forced to confess crimes of which they 
were not guilty, and were banished from cities after 
their property had been confiscated. And this was 
not the worst. Every appeal of humanity was stifled 
by the unchristian and bitter hatred of the people. 
Only a few escaped with the penalty of exile and 
loss of property. Very many must have perished 
by fire. In almost all the Rhine cities and in some 
others also, not only in Germany but in neighbor- 
ing countries, they were burned without trial or 
even examination. In utter despair they submitted 
to their terrible fate and even anticipated it. Six 
thousand Jews burned themselves in their own 
houses ; and at Esslingen, Worms, and Speier they 
assembled in their synagogues and then fired them. 
Still the plague did not cease, and the people 
soon decided that it was not caused by human agen- 
cies. The conviction became universal that it was 
the divine penalty for the prevailing immorality. 
Reconciliation with God became the watchword. 
It must be secured by expiation. The better classes 
sought for it by adopting a pious course of life. 
Parents taught their children to pray and to submit 
to the divine will. Others sought to propitiate 
[681 



4^ THE BLACK DEATH <;^ 

God with gifts to the Church. Many others be- 
lieved that the sins of their past wanton lives could 
be atoned for by physical suffering only, and casti- 
gated themselves relentlessly. This gave rise to the 
brotherhood of the Flagellants. They increased by 
hundreds and thousands all over Germany, and each 
brotherhood had its own head and regulations. One 
of these marched behind a cross. A red cross was 
also fastened upon the cloak and the hat of each 
Flagellant, and at his side hung the scourge — a 
short stick, with three stout thongs tied at the ends 
in a hard knot, in which were inserted two sharp 
iron prongs set crosswise. When the procession 
approached anyplace several Flagellants with showy 
banners of costly purple velvet or embroidered silk, 
waxen tapers flickering among them, assembled be- 
hind the cross-bearer. The rest marched two by 
two, with hats pulled down and looking before them 
silently and sorrowfully. Singing expiatory songs, 
they entered the place, greeted and accompanied by 
the tolls of the church bells. Great crowds of 
serious-faced persons followed the strange proces- 
sion to the church, where the Flagellants prostrated 
themselves several times before the altar. On the 
next morning they formed their procession in the 

[69] 



4' ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 4^ 

same order as on the day before and, followed by- 
all the people, marched to the place of scourging. 
There they took off their shoes and removed their 
outer garments, leaving the upper part of the body 
nude. Then they advanced in the shape of a wide 
cross and prostrated themselves. Each one an- 
nounced the offence for which he desired to make 
expiation. The perjurers rested upon one side, 
with three fingers raised above the head; liars 
stretched their hands out before them ; drunkards 
placed their hands upon their mouths. Those who 
were not guilty of any particular offence lay with 
their arms outstretched on the ground in the shape 
of a cross. Then the leader, or master, arose, made 
a short address, and struck each with the scourge. 
The brothers arose in turn and imitated the master. 
The best singers then advanced, and while they sang 
with subdued voices, the Flagellants lashed each 
other with the iron thongs until blood streamed 
down their backs. 

In the meantime the thousands of spectators stood 
in a profound silence, broken only by occasional 
sighs or loud weeping. Others imitated what they 
saw ; and then followed the reading of a docu- 
ment which was said to be a direct message from 
[70] 



THE BLACK DEATH 



God to sinful humanity. The Flagellants seldom 
left a place without gaining new members. A hun- 
dred of them went from Basle to Avignon and 
scourged themselves in the presence of the Pope. 
He did not believe, however, that God was pleased 
with such acts, and issued a bull forbidding Chris- 
tians to perform flagellation in public, under penalty 
of excommunication. 

Neither Jewish persecutions nor flagellation were 
of any avail in checking the plague. It spread 
through the terrified world. A fourth part of the 
population of Europe perished. After it subsided, 
the old worldly pleasures were resumed above those 
countless graves; but there were many who, in 
those terrible years of trial, had returned to the 
divine allegiance, and who consecrated the precious 
gift of life to that exercise of Christian love which 
Father Vincentius, before his departure, character- 
ized as the noblest fruit of the divine justice. 



[71] 



Chapter V 
The Robber Knights 




URICH, which had long been a free im- 
perial city, held an important position 
among the municipalities. Its trade and 
commerce flourished, nor was it lacking in 
intellectual activity. It was enjoying a rest from 
the domination of the great property-holders and 
nobles, known as the patricians. The guilds had 
now grown strong enough to assert their opinions. 
Under the new constitution the Council was com- 
posed of thirteen patricians and thirteen members of 
the guilds. An able and judicious man named 
Rudolph Brun, leader in the revolt, was appointed 
burgomaster, and administered his office with a 
strong, sure hand. 

It was natural that the patricians, who had exer- 
cised such absolute authority, should not relish the 
new order of things. They had a numerous follow- 
ing among the nobles outside the cities. These 
nobles scrupled not to attack and rob city merchants 
[72] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

travelling in the mountain regions and levy tribute 
upon them. They were not on good terms with the 
cities. Life in the castles grew constantly quieter 
and more lonesome ; the attendants demanded 
higher remuneration, and if their demands were 
not granted they would take themselves off and seek 
shelter behind the city walls, where they were pro- 
tected and had greater freedom and more privileges 
than in the castles. For these reasons the nobles 
were naturally incensed at the cities, which were con- 
tinually growing stronger, while the castle power was 
continually growing less. 

Castle Reienstein had experienced these depress- 
ing changes. It had been left in a wretched plight 
to the young nobleman Jorgel, by his father. We 
behold him sitting one day at a window which com- 
manded a wide prospect, engaged in fitting a new 
leash for his falcon. " You accursed bird," he 
growled, " I feel like flinging you away for your 
obstinacy. If you go hungry for a time and have 
to look out for yourself perhaps you will come to 
your senses." 

With these words he threw the hood over the 
falcon's head and went to an inner apartment, the 
only one which was fit for occupancy in his present 

[73] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

circumstances, and which served alike for kitchen 
and sleeping room. 

" Jorgel, come to table," said Brigitte, his old 
aunt, who shared with him the poverty of castle 
Reienstein. After removing several things which 
littered up the rickety old table, she placed upon 
it a mess of lentils in a not over clean dish, and 
brought two plates and rusty knives and forks from 
a shelf. Jorgel reluctantly seated himself and sniffed 
at the little piece of sausage which his aunt fished 
out of the lentils and divided with him. 

" A feast for the gods," growled Jorgel. " I tell 
you, Aunt, I can't stand this kind of thing much 
longer," 

" You are always complaining about your lot," 
replied Brigitte, as she poked the lentils with her 
fork. " It would be more reasonable if you would 
try to better it. Fine chances are open to you. 
Why do you not open your eyes like other folks ? " 

" What can help such a poor devil as I am ? " 
replied Jorgel. " The Morspergers and Waltihof- 
ners have fast, stout horses which can make ten 
miles on the road without hurting a hoof; my nag 
can scarcely go from here to Zurich in a day, and 
if I hurry him he is winded. All my neighbors 
[74] 



-^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

have money and can pay handsomely for service, 
but I have to put up with a ragged, ignorant jour- 
neyman, as you well know. When we come to 
divide, I get the leavings. I must get about in all 
kinds of weather, attend to affairs, and go half starved, 
while others who are not a whit more deserving can 
live in clover. I am sick of such injustice, plague 
upon it." 

" You are very hard to satisfy, Jorgel, and a lazy 
lout besides," said Brigitte. " Think of others who 
are no better off than you are, and yet have wives 
and children to look after, while you are single, and 
have a careful, economical aunt to run your house ! 
You can go and come when you please, and always 
find something to eat and sometimes an abundance, 
for your affairs do not always turn out badly. 
When the highways fail you, the forests supply 
plenty of game. At home you can stretch out on 
your straw bed, or train your falcon, or fix things 
when they need it. You have always something to 
wear, so — " 

" Have I ? Just take a look at my coat," inter- 
rupted Jorgel. "There is a hole in the elbow of 
the right sleeve." 

" Is that so ? " said Brigitte. " Hand me my 

[75] 



-$* ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

needle and thread from the window shelf, and I will 
soon fix that." 

Jorgel betook himself to a small grindstone in a 
corner of the room to sharpen his hunting-knife. 
" I tell you what. Aunt, sing me a song to drive 
away the blues and make the stone turn more 
easily." 

" Certainly, my Jorgel," assented Brigitte. She 
hung the mended coat upon a hook in the wall, and 
after giving the cat the scanty bits left from the meal, 
she sang, while clearing up the dishes, a ballad about 
Count Rudolf of Hapsburg — how he besieged the 
city of Glanzenburg and floated huge wine-casks 
down the Rhine, out of which armed men suddenly 
sprang ; and how the Count took advantage of the 
confusion of the people to storm the unprotected 
walls. 

After she had finished singing, the old woman 
remarked : " The cat has scratched herself several 
times behind the ear and my nose itches all the time. 
These things betoken a visitor." 

" 1 hope it is not an unwelcome one," said Jorgel, 
" that Waltihofener whom I still owe ten shillings 
lost at dice, or that laborer whose hay I carried off 
from his rick, or — " 
[76] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS -$• 

" Have no fears on that account, Jorgel," replied 
his aunt. " You can get rid of the Waltihofener 
with fine words, and you can pitch the laborer down- 
stairs. Now, my left hand begins to itch, and that 
means good luck, or money, which amounts to the 
same thing." 

Jorgel's wheel flew so fast that it emitted sparks, 
and the falcon upon its perch fluttered its feathers 
in afiright. Suddenly a young man, who lived in 
the lower part of the tumble-down building, called 
out at the door : " Noble sir, my father bids me 
tell you that a gentleman from Morsperg has just 
arrived, and is even now putting his horse in the 
stall." 

" Did I not prophesy rightly ? " triumphantly ex- 
claimed Brigitte. " All the signs pointed to a visit, 
and the itching of my left hand meant good luck." 

" We shall see," replied Jorgel. He rose from his 
rough wooden seat, drew on his boots, and put on 
his waistcoat. His aunt hastily set things in order, 
and had hardly finished when steps were heard on 
the stairs, and the herculean figure of Veit of Mors- 
perg entered and saluted them with a roaring" Good 
day ! " He shook Jorgel's hand and roughly slapped 
Brigitte on her ,bent back. 

177] 



4* ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 4^ 

" I bring you good news," he said, stroking his 
great beard. 

Jorgel's face brightened up. " You look as happy 
as if you were breaking into some rich merchant's 
treasure box," said Jorgel, with difficulty restraining 
his curiosity. 

" It is something better than that," said Veit, as 
he sat down upon the bed. " The Zurich oligarchy 
has come to an end." 

" Is that true ? " shouted Jorgel. " Then the 
mob of the workshops may be in the Council." 

" Seven hundred patricians have united against the 
aristocratic city regime," replied Veit. 

" They are few compared with the crowds in the 
guilds and corporations," said Brigitte. 

" Be patient ! I know still more," said Veit. 
"The patricians have very wisely united with the 
counts of Rupperschwyl, who will invade the city ; 
and other knights near by are to join them." 

" And I fancy that you will have the same honor," 
said Jorgel. 

"You are right," replied Veit; "and as I am 
going to join, I advise you to do the same." 

" It is very good of you," said Jorgel, " but if 
this movement is intended merely to help the 
178] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS 4- 

patricians to regain their seats in the Council, I 
have no desire to risk my head." 

" Blockhead ! " shouted Veit. " Do you suppose 
that I am going to help pull chestnuts out of the 
fire for others without making sure of a good slice 
for myself? I intend to profit by the confusion of 
the others." 

" Ah ! now I understand," said Jorgel, with a 
cunning laugh. " Go ahead ! I am with you. 
But when will the dance begin?" 

" When the clock strikes ten to-morrow the gates 
will be secretly opened and the Rupperschwyls and 
their following will enter the city and fall upon their 
opponents, who little dream what is in store for them. 
In the meantime, friend Jorgel, we shall have been 
waiting our chance. We shall leave our armor at 
home so as not to arouse suspicion. A good dagger 
will be enough for our purpose. But we must be 
oflF at once, for your nag needs plenty of time for a 
ride to Zurich." 

" For Heaven's sake, be off," muttered Aunt 
Brigitte, as she went to a corner of the room and 
took down Jorgel's riding cloak, which ordinarily 
served to conceal Brigitte's old and torn best dress. 

Jorgel girded on his rapier belt, stuck his dagger 

[79] 



<* ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED 4- 

in it, put on his cap and plume, and threw the cloak 
over his shoulder. Then he took a hasty leave of 
his aunt, and promised her a new dress if everything 
went well. Whereupon she invoked the blessing 
of all the saints upon him. When everything was 
in readiness the two robber knights set off for the 
city at an easy trot. 

Upon the following day we behold Veit striding 
into the smithy of an armorer which resounds with 
the lusty hammering of his workmen. The bellows 
groans, the hammers ring, and songs in Swiss, 
Swabian, and Bavarian dialects are heard on all sides. 
One is piling coal upon the fire ; another cooling the 
glowing metal in water from which clouds of steam 
ascend ; others are polishing the steel smooth and 
bright, while the apprentice is riveting a neckband. 
In the midst of the busy crowd stands the stately 
master, examining a steel headpiece, just finished. 
Seeing Veit, who was one of his customers, he came 
forward and asked what he wished. 

Veit drew a dagger from his cloak. " Here, 
Master Hildprand," said he, " the hilt of my dagger 
needs fastening. Fix it and send it as soon as it 
is done to the Rebstock, but be sure to send it 
to-day, for I must return home before night." 
[80] 



-5^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS -^ 

Master Hildprand took the dagger and promised 
to do his utmost to accommodate him, although his 
work was very pressing. 

" That is fine work," said the knight with a well 
pleased glance at the headpiece in the master's 
hand. 

" This kind is coming more and more into use, 
and is replacing the helmet," said the smith. 

" But I still stick to the helmet," replied Veit. 
" It is better fitted for resistance. I have no use 
for these new-fangled inventions." 

"And yet we are still far behind the times," said 
the master with a smile. " When I was working 
in France they had already gone over to steel. 
There is no longer any chain armor." 

" But how do the French protect the shoulders ? " 

" With a broad iron band reaching from the neck 
to the upper part of the arm. That enables the 
wearer to move the head more freely, which he 
could not do with the old, awkward style of 
armor." 

" Zounds ! There is no end to these improve- 
ments," blurted out Veit. " It must take all often 
years to make a new suit of armor now. One needs 
to be as rich as Croesus to keep up with them." 
6 [8i] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

" Some of the wealthy gentlemen are just begin- 
ning to wear the cuirass." 

" Desist, Master Hildprand," said the knight, 
"else I shall have to stop my ears." 

With these words Veit turned to several of the 
workmen and watched them a short time. Then he 
stepped up to the apprentice, who was engaged in 
polishing a headpiece. 

"This kind of headpiece is also fast disappear- 
ing," said the master. "They are now replacing 
it with the brigantine, which gives much better 
service." 

" Don't trouble yourself to explain. Master 
Hildprand ! You can't make me believe in your 
improvements," replied Veit. " But be sure that 
I get my dagger before night at the Rebstock, do 
you hear ? " 

" My boy shall take it to you. Do you know 
where the Rebstock is, Florian ? " 

" Yes ! that is where the baker's boy was killed," 
said the apprentice. 

" It is not my usual resort," said Veit, vexed at 

the remark which was far from complimentary to 

the knight's choice of lodging, " but I am visiting 

an old acquaintance there." Giving the apprentice 

[82] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS -^ 

a smart slap on the shoulder, he added : " You 
seem to have a glib tongue of your own, my boy, 
but you do good work, I see, and you are quick 
about it too." 

"Oh, he can polish that kind much better than 
the old-fashioned ones," said the smith, with a glance 
of pride at the lad. " He is my sainted sister's son 
and was born at Stans. He lost his father, mother, 
and all six sisters by the plague." 

"Ah 1 that evil plague," sighed Veit; "it found 
victims in our family also. Now, good-bye. Master 
Hildprand." 

" Wait a moment, noble sir," said the smith. " I 
will show you some more new things, among them 
a movable arrangement turning upon a pivot under 
the vizor. It protects the chin and neck, and will — " 

" Curse you and your improvements. I have 
heard enough about them already," said the knight 
as he hurried away. 

The Rebstock stood in a blind alley, obscured by 
overhanging buildings. The reputation of the place 
was none of the best. It was patronized by the 
lower classes, and it was reported that its keeper re- 
ceived and sold the plunder stolen by the robber 
knights of that vicinity. In a little room which 

[83] 



♦ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

gave upon the narrow back yard, and was reserved for 
noble guests, sat Veit and Jorgel with a third com- 
panion. The latter was the young nobleman, Con- 
rad of Waltihof, who is already known to us by name 
and who was invited to come there by Veit and par- 
ticipate in their plans during the great surprise which 
was to happen in the good city of Zurich that day. 

It was already dark. A pair of tallow candles 
shed a feeble hght upon a table near the window 
on which were some glasses of Alsatian wine and at 
which the three were passing away the time throwing 
dice. The faces of the players were flushed with 
the excitement of the game and their varying luck 
rather than by the effects of the wine, of which each 
could carry a heavy load. They disputed several 
times, gave vent to curses, and gesticulated as if they 
were about to fly at each others' throat, but their 
quarrels invariably ended in words, not blows. Jor- 
gel at first had won many times the ten shillings he 
owed Conrad, but he also frequently lost, and at last 
his losses increased so fast that his debt was very 
large. He cursed the caprices of the fickle goddess 
of fortune but consoled himself with the thought 
that these losses were trifling compared with the 
treasures he would soon acquire. " Ha ! ha ! " he 
[84] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

roared, " there will soon be such a game as Zurich 
has never seen before." 

" Restrain yourself and don't shout in that way," 
said Veit, laying the dice aside. " It is a long time 
yet before the clock will strike ten and the gates 
open to the Rupperschwyls." 

" They ought to be all around the city before this 
time," said Conrad. 

" All my ten fingers are itching for our work," 
said Jorgel, "but it is too bad we cannot get at the 
rich goods of the merchants." 

" We ought to have had wagons to carry the plun- 
der to our castles," said Conrad. 

" Worse than that, we are expected to divide with 
the landlord," said Veit, " and the thought does not 
please me. Therefore I think it would be better for 
us to take the money to the nearest bankers. And 
mark what I tell you : if any one interferes with us 
we can then swear we have clean hands. The Rup- 
perschwyls and patricians can look after the slaughter, 
for they will kill Burgomaster Brun and the entire 
new Council." 

"Did you hear that?" said Conrad, laughing. 
"Just think, Jorgel, of Veit's tender conscience. 
It is as easy as if he had never — " 

[85] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED -^ 

Conrad suddenly ceased talking. A deep sigh was 
heard which did not come from any of the three. 
They sprang from their seats and looked about them. 
Jorgel had the most acute hearing of them all. He 
traced the unaccountable sound to the vicinity of the 
door and soon found a figure seated in a chair in a 
dark corner which the candles failed to light. Utter- 
ing a terrible curse he dragged the witness of their 
conspiracy into the light. 

" Boy, you must die," he cried furiously, at the 
same time holding his victim by the throat so tightly 
that he could only emit a feeble groan. 

" First let him tell how he came here, and let him 
say his prayers before he dies," said Veit. 

" No," said Conrad, " no mercy to a spy." In 
his wrath he drew his dagger, but he weakened some 
when he saw a dagger flashing in the uplifted hand 
of the boy. 

" Hold there ! " exclaimed Veit. " This is Master 
Hildprand's apprentice. Let him loose, Jorgel, let 
him loose, or I will release the poor fellow." As 
Veit's hand was already upon his weapon, and he 
was in no mood to be refused, Jorgel obeyed. 

" Now, confess," said Veit to the boy in a severe 
tone. " Your master sent you here with my 
[86] 



-^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS -^ 

dagger, but surely not to play the spy. Speak, 
youngster ! " 

Florian Habli threw himself at the knight's feet 
and protested his innocence. He said he was brought 
to the room by the landlord, and when he entered 
the gentlemen were so excited over the dice that 
they did not notice him. Then their furious dis- 
pute frightened him. He dared not advance, and 
was so terrified that he took the seat in the corner. 
He was speedily overcome by sleep, for he had been 
up all the previous night and was deadly sleepy. 
When or how he awoke he could not say. 

" What have you heard of our talk ? " said Veit, 
harshly. 

Florian did not instantly reply, but at last said : 
" Nothing, not the slightest thing." 

" He is a lying knave," said Jorgel. " Do you 
not see how he reddens at every word ? " 

" Let 's make an end of him," said Conrad, seiz- 
ing him by the throat. 

" Take your hand away," said Veit. " This lad 
is Master Hildprand's apprentice and his favorite 
sister's son, of whom he is very fond. We must 
do nothing that will hurt the master, for we all need 
him. He knows where he sent the boy, and if he 

[87] 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

does not return he will know where to look for him. 
Supposing we kill the lad, how can we conceal his 
body without taking the landlord into our confi- 
dence and placing ourselves completely in his 
power ? " 

" Supposing, then, we shut him up until every- 
thing is over," said Jorgel. 

" Then he will raise an alarm," replied the 
knight. 

" We can keep him here if we bind and gag him," 
suggested Conrad. 

" But we cannot keep him without the knowledge 
of the landlord," objected Veit. " I would rather 
trust the lad than that throat-cutter." 

" What, then, shall we do ? " asked the two con- 
spirators. 

" Let the boy take an oath that he will not reveal 
anything he has heard." 

The other two laughed derisively. " How will 
an empty oath help us ? " said Conrad. 

" Silence ! " said Veit. " An oath is sacred to this 
lad." 

He held his dagger hilt as a cross before the ap- 
prentice and recited the words of the oath. He was 
to promise in the name of God and all the saints, 
[88] 



4- THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

and as he valued his own soul, never to reveal to 
any one what he had heard. He would call down 
upon himself terrible punishment in this world and 
everlasting damnation in the next if he violated his 
oath. 

With visible emotion the boy repeated the words 
after him. Veit expressed his satisfaction and let 
him go, with the injunction to return to the smithy 
without delay. 

When Florian found himself in the street once 
more his experience seemed like a feverish dream, 
yet he remembered all that the three men had said, 
notwithstanding he had denied it when death threat- 
ened him. The danger which was hovering over 
the city and the fate of the people weighed heavily 
upon his spirit. And yet his lips were sealed by a 
terrible vow not to make any disclosures, even to a 
priest, without bringing eternal condemnation upon 
himself. As he went homeward, suffering with this 
agony of soul, his comrades were returning joyfully 
from their work, and fathers were sitting upon the 
doorsteps with their families, enjoying the beautiful 
moonlight. On this very day, in a few hours, this 
peaceful scene would give place to murder and pillage 
and the horrible work of bloody hands. 

[89] 



♦^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

He was soon in front of the cathedral. It was still 
open, inviting the repentant and suffering, and invol- 
untarily he entered. Not a soul was to be seen in 
the vast interior. The moon shone through the tall 
windows upon the high altar. Seized by a sudden im- 
pulse, Florian knelt upon the altar steps and prayed 
to God for help for the endangered city and consola- 
tion for himself. After a fervent prayer he started 
to leave the sacred place. As he did so, his ear 
caught the sound of low voices, and looking in the 
direction from which it proceeded, he perceived a soft 
gleam of light. He advanced unheard to the con- 
fessional. A dark figure, whether man or woman 
he could not distinguish, was kneeling before it and 
whispering confession to the priest, who after a few 
questions said something in response. The white 
statue of a saint stood near the confessional. An idea 
flashed through the boy's mind like lightning. He 
knelt before the statue, stretched out his arms im- 
ploringly and loudly exclaimed: "Oh, thou blessed 
image, the greatest danger threatens the city. The 
patricians have sworn to kill the burgomaster and 
Council, and" at ten o'clock the gates will open to the 
Rupperschwyls and their followers. I am vowed to 
silence. I have sworn not to reveal this to any one, 
[90] 



^ THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

but I can keep the secret no longer. Therefore I 
confide it to thee, and if God, the Lord, does not 
perform a miracle and open thy mouth, then my 
words will fall upon deaf ears. But God is my wit- 
ness that all I have said is true. Amen." Florian 
noticed that the whispers had ceased. He arose and 
hastened out of the church. 

The night wore on and the streets grew more 
deserted and silent. The three robber knights in 
the back room of the Rebstock were dicing again, 
and in the excitement of the game had forgotten 
all about the smith's apprentice. A bell sounded 
in a neighboring tower and all three counted its 
strokes. 

" Nine o'clock," said Veit ; " only one hour more 
and the devil will be loose." 

They resumed their dice-throwing, but suddenly 
the bell was heard again. Its strokes followed in 
rapid succession, and now all the other bells in the 
city began to ring. From the summits of the towers 
the watchmen's horns sounded clear and loud. The 
storm was about to break. The terrible news spread 
all over the city that it would be attacked at ten 
o'clock and given over to fire and sword. There 
was excitement in every house, and lights suddenly 

191] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

flashed in the windows. The glare of ^pitchy torches 
made the streets light as day. The soldiers' quar- 
ters resounded with the shrill din of trumpets, and 
the guilds in armor marched under their banners to 
make such resistance as they could. At last the 
enemy poured through the gates, but the Zurich 
nobles and their Rupperschwyl allies went down in 
defeat. 

Our three robber knights meanwhile had been 
warned by the signals and wisely remained at the 
Rebstock, which they did not venture to leave 
for several days. At last they returned empty- 
handed to their castles. At first they swore they 
would kill the apprentice, for they had no doubt 
that he was the traitor, notwithstanding his oath. 
The truth, however, gradually dawned upon them 
and relieved Florian from suspicion. It was 
everywhere related that the wife of one of the 
patricians had become conscience-stricken and con- 
fided the secret to a priest, and that in this way 
the burgomaster was warned of the approaching 
danger. 

As the outcome of the " murder night," Zurich 
joined the League. Lucerne had already done so, 
and Berne, Zug, and Glarus soon followed, so that 
[9^ 



4- THE ROBBER KNIGHTS ^ 

the League spread to the confines of Burgundy and 
became very powerful. Thus Uri, Schywz, Unter- 
walden. Lucerne, Zurich, Zug, Glarus, and Berne 
were united in an offensive and defensive alliance. 
These are the eight old cantons. 



[93] 




Chapter VI 
The Tournament at Little Basle 

T the time the League had grown so strong, 
Duke Albrecht the Second ruled in 
Austria and enjoyed the friendship of the 
Emperor Charles the Fourth, of the 
house of Luxemburg. In preparing for a struggle 
with the League he had strengthened his castles and 
cities and had assured himself of the loyal service of 
his vassals. The war, however, was confined to pil- 
laging expeditions and petty encounters which did 
the League little harm, and at last an unconditional 
peace was made between the two parties. After Al- 
brecht's death, his oldest son, Rudolph the Fourth, 
succeeded. This prince, the first of his house to 
receive the title of archduke, had the hereditary 
Hapsburg spirit and strove to the utmost to extend 
the supremacy of the empire. Notwithstanding the 
Emperor Charles was his father-in-law, he opposed 
him by every kind of artifice and continually inter- 
fered with his plans. He strengthened himself by 
alliances with neighboring powers, especially with 
[94] 



^ THE TOURNAMENT ^ 

Basle and other imperial cities, and weakened the 
Emperor's power in Italy. By the marriage of his 
brother Leopold to the daughter of Bernabo Vis- 
conti of Milan he secured the adherence of many 
noble Italian families. He appointed Brun, the 
Zurich burgomaster, a member of his privy council 
and thus attached him to his interests. He drove 
in a wedge between Lake Zurich and Schwyz, by 
the purchase of territory, and to secure control of 
the commercial highway from Italy to Germany he 
built a bridge across the lake upon the pretext of 
shortening the route for pious pilgrims on their way 
to retreats. While engaged in these various enter- 
prises the prince died in his twenty-sixth year and 
was succeeded by his brother Leopold, in 1365. 

Leopold, although inclined to mysticism, was of 
martial spirit and handled the lance at tournaments 
in a masterly way. Hardly a year of his life had 
passed without finding him engaged in war. While 
he had a numerous following of knights and nobles, 
his devoutness and straightforwardness also com- 
mended him to the favor of the people, among 
whom many stories of his acts of generosity were 
told, like those reported later about his Uncle 
Maximilian, " the last of the knights." 

[95] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Leopold took such advantage of the quarrels be- 
tween the petty princes in upper Italy that he soon 
checked the designs of the powerful republic of 
Venice. His father-in-law Visconti was of great 
service to him in this. The predecessors of Vis- 
conti had established their power when the Lom- 
bardy League was swallowed up in a multitude of 
petty sovereignties. The masters of Milan at this 
time, Bernabq and his brother Galeazzo the Second, 
needing brave soldiers for their wars of conquest, 
many young men of the mountain country organ- 
ized into troops which were granted special privi- 
leges because of their loyalty to the Viscontis. The 
two Milan lords were excellent army leaders but 
tyrannical toward their subjects. At last they be- 
came so bold as to take up arms against Pope 
Gregory the Eleventh, for which they were excom- 
municated. At the same time the Pope forbade 
these young mountaineers to render service to them. 
They recognized the papal authority and most of 
them returned to their homes. 

Among them was Arnold of Winkelried. His 
home possessions were insignificant. We have al- 
ready seen that even as a boy he had shown a war- 
like spirit in numerous ways. He had practised all 
[96] 



^ THE TOURNAMENT 4^ 

the feats of arms with Indefatigable activity, and had 
been well instructed in them, but as there were few 
opportunities for their use at home he had taken 
service at Milan. He fought for strangers to learn 
how to fight for his fatherland whenever it should 
need his help. He had participated in numerous 
encounters, had been wounded several times, and 
had won such distinction that he was admitted to 
knighthood. 

In the beginning of the year 1370 Arnold of 
Winkelried once more stood upon his native soil. 
He was tall, powerful, and in the very prime of his 
manhood. He vainly sought for the opportunity to 
perform active deeds. Peace and quiet prevailed 
all over the country. His restless spirit was not 
satisfied with managing the small home affairs. He 
longed for the tumult of battle and the strenuous 
life of the soldier, to which he had been accustomed 
of late. He endured the quiet of Stans for a few 
weeks only, after which notwithstanding the inclem- 
ent season of the year he undertook a journey to 
the larger cities of the League, to see and hear what 
was going on. It was not mere chance that took 
him to Zurich. He had been told at Stans that his 
old-time playmate, Florian Habli, whom he met as 
7 [97] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

a houseless wanderer at the monastery of Engel- 
berg and had helped to the utmost of his ability, 
was living with a famous armorer at Zurich. He 
sought him there to have a talk over old times, and 
found him in the midst of a crowd of workmen in 
the same place where we have seen him as Master 
Hildprand's apprentice. The meeting was a cordial 
one. When the old-time fisherman and woodcutter's 
son began by addressing Arnold as " sir knight '* and 
" noble sir," he was firmly bidden to use the familar 
" thou." 

As they had much to talk about, the armorer 
entertained his distinguished visitor in his own 
house. Florian's uncle was childless, and as he 
was comfortably off and wished to live quietly in 
his old age, he had transferred his prosperous busi- 
ness to his nephew, who was conducting it with like 
success. In the meantime Florian had gone about 
the world considerably, and had worked in many a 
famous city. He had been in Strasburg, where for 
more than three centuries they had been building a 
magnificent cathedral, the spire of which was just 
beginning to rise. He had also stood before a 
mighty cathedral in Cologne, which was begun 
a century before, but in late times the work had 
[98] 



^ THE TOURNAMENT ^- 

stopped. In no city, however, had he seen so much 
activity as at Prague. The Emperor Charles had 
laid out an entirely new section of the city in which 
numerous churches and monasteries were going up, 
and a great stone bridge was built over the Moldau. 
The finest structure, however, was the training school, 
the scholars in which were called students. Florian 
had also worked for a time at Frankfort-on-the- 
Main, and he could hardly find words to describe 
the fair which was held there twice a year. It was 
to this fair that the large cities on the Rhine, from 
Basle to Cologne, sent their merchandise; and 
heavily laden vessels brought goods there from 
France. Fur dealers from the Hanse towns, linen 
and lace dealers from the cities of Flanders, and 
goldsmiths from Burgundy met there. England's 
steel wares as well as the various products of Wales 
were exhibited. Every building was packed with 
people and goods to the roof, great multitudes 
thronged the streets, and as the city could not ac- 
commodate all the strangers, many of them had to 
live in tents. It was one of the grandest of specta- 
cles. Florian had seen an ostrich and an elephant 
there for the first time ; and one of the numerous 
pickpockets had made off with his purse. He talked 

[99J 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

long about his adventures in other cities, but he 
made no mention of his exciting experiences at the 
Rebstock, for he still respected his oath. He felt a 
quiet satisfaction at having saved Zurich, and at- 
tributed to it all the blessings which had been so 
generously" bestowed upon him within its walls. 

Arnold talked of his war adventures in Italy, and 
as he came to the end he said : " But now my sword 
and armor are rusting. I vainly look for any place 
in the world where war is going on and glory can 
be found. I am sick of these peaceful times." 

Master Florian significantly placed his forefinger 
upon his nose. He could give him some informa- 
tion. There was a region in northern Prussia where 
the clash of arms never ceased. The pagan Prus- 
sians were not yet conquered, and there was always 
plenty of fighting in the adjacent Lithuania. Many 
a one who had been told this by Florian had been 
there and had brought back dreadful news about the 
country and its savage inhabitants. 

Arnold was at last satisfied. The greater the 
danger the greater the glory, especially when gained 
in fighting for the spread of Christianity, Nothing 
would suit him better than to go to that northern 
country. It increased his delight when Florian told 

[lOO] 



•^ THE TOURNAMENT -^ 

him there was an opportunity for him to go with a 
goodly company. Duke Leopold had arranged an 
expedition for that very purpose. It was said he 
had already assembled a thousand knights from 
Austria, Swabia, and other German countries. They 
were to meet at Basle, and the Duke was to hold a 
grand tournament there on Shrove Tuesday, and 
then leave at once for Marienburg, the castle of the 
Teutonic Order. 

Arnold decided on the instant to join the expedi- 
tion, but he was also anxious to show his prowess at 
the tournament, so that he should not be a stranger 
in this array of famous knights and nobles. But 
Shrove Tuesday was only a few days off, and as he 
must return to Stans, the time was too short to 
allow of his getting to Basle in good season. He 
explained the situation to Florian, who replied : " If 
it is your armor that delays you, as I surmise, the 
journey to Stans is unnecessary. You need armor 
and a horse. As far as armor and weapons are 
concerned, I have everything you want and you are 
welcome to use it ; and as far as the horse is con- 
cerned, I have a friend here who has several fine 
ones, which even Duke Leopold himself would not 
be ashamed to ride. He will let you have one on 

[Id] 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ♦$• 

my security, and all you have to do is to make your 
choice." 

Arnold cordially shook Florian's hand and 
thanked him for his friendly assistance, of which 
he should certainly avail himself. " But you know, 
Florian," he said with a smile, " that horse and 
armor belong to the knight who unseats his oppo- 
nent. Supposing I should be the unfortunate 
one ! " 

" I am not afraid of that," said Florian, regard- 
ing him with a look of pride. " I know my hero 
of Pilatus." 

Arnold soon made a choice of armor and weapons 
from the young master's large stock. He selected 
a snow-white battle-horse which combined strength 
and suppleness of limb with a fiery nature. Thus 
equipped and well mounted, Arnold rode off one 
day to Basle, after taking a cordial farewell of 
Florian. 

The free city of Basle is situated upon the Rhine. 
Great Basle is upon one bank and Little Basle upon 
the other. On the morning of Shrove Tuesday the 
city was crowded with a multitude of persons who 
had come on foot and horse, some to participate in 
the merry-makings of the city, and others to attend 
[102] 



^ THE TOURNAMENT ^ 

the tournament. The tilting-field was oval in shape, 
and surrounded by gayly decorated lists. The 
stands filled gradually. The marshals of the tour- 
nament, staves in hand, took their seats with their 
halberds placed before them. The referees sat be- 
low them, and the herald stood in front, clad in 
glistening mail, adorned with the heraldic symbols. 

Suddenly there was a jubilant outburst from the 
musicians' gallery as Duke Leopold appeared upon 
his proudly prancing steed, attended by a brilliant 
retinue of pages and squires. After he had dis- 
mounted, the Duke seated himself under a canopy, 
with his attendants stationed about him in a circle. 
He waved a white handkerchief as the signal for 
the tournament to begin. The gates were opened, 
and accompanied by strains of music the combatants 
rode around the lists with lances at rest. Six of 
them went to six tents at the north end of the arena. 
There they dismounted, leaving their steeds to the 
care of servants, and each went to his tent, upon 
which was suspended his escutcheon. These were 
the six challenging knights. 

At a signal from the trumpet the herald rode to 
the centre of the arena and proclaimed the regula- 
tions so that all might hear. Then there was a 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

sudden commotion at the south end, caused by the 
rush of knights who were to contest with the chal- 
lengers. Only six could be chosen, and these were 
selected by lot. Each one of these touched the 
escutcheon of the one with whom he was to con- 
tend, with his lance, doing it with the blunt end 
and not the point, which signified that the contest 
was not a life and death one, but a test of skill 
and strength on each side. 

When the six knights had ridden back and 
formed in line, the six challengers mounted their 
steeds and took their places a short distance away 
from the others. At the sound of the trumpet 
both parties rushed at each other. The challengers 
were apparently sure of success. Five of their op- 
ponents were unhorsed at the first onset, but the 
sixth knight kept -his saddle. Both his own lance 
and that of his opponent were shivered at the same 
time, so that neither was victor. Amid the shouts 
of the crowd and the din of trumpets the challengers 
rode back to their tents, and the vanquished ones 
picked themselves up and disappeared from the 
arena. The contest was soon resumed. After 
many others had been defeated there was a pause. 
It seemed as if no one cared to enter the lists. 
[104] 



•5^ THE TOURNAMENT ^ 

Suddenly a trumpet sounded at the southern end 
of the arena, and the crowd beheld a knight of 
stately figure riding up to the six tents at the north- 
ern end upon a milk-white steed. He halted, and 
his lance touched an escutcheon which was decorated 
with a tree and two ravens hovering over it. There 
was universal astonishment, for the owner of this 
escutcheon was the most dexterous and powerful of 
all the challengers. He instantly came from his 
tent to ascertain who his opponent was. The latter 
lifted his visor and disclosed the face of Arnold of 
Winkelried, as the reader probably has anticipated. 
The other, taking Arnold's courtesy for an expres- 
sion of scorn, also lifted his visor and disclosed the 
stern features of Veit of Morsperg. 

"Your steed pleases me. It looks to me as if it 
might soon have another stall, and I have one which 
will suit him, and there is plenty of room in my 
armor chamber for that mail of yours," scornfully 
said Veit, as he gloated over the prizes of the con- 
test, which he was sure were his. 

" Many thanks for your warning," replied Arnold, 
"but if you expect to secure the prize, I would ad- 
vise you to take a fresh horse and new lance, for you 
are sadly in need of both." 

[105] 



«$• ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Hardly had the trumpet sounded when the two 
dashed from their places with lightning speed and met 
in the centre of the arena with such force that both 
their lances were shattered and the horses sank upon 
their haunches, but by the help of bridle and spurs 
they were soon up again. Fire flashed from Veit's 
eyes as he looked at his opponent. Both went back 
for new lances. They rushed at each other again at 
the sound of the trumpet. Veit aimed a thrust at 
Arnold's head, which would have been dangerous 
had it succeeded, but Arnold evaded it and there- 
upon struck Veit's shield such a powerful blow in 
the centre that his opponent wavered in the saddle 
and the lance was shattered. After Arnold had 
secured another lance the two knights made the 
third attack. This time the order was reversed. It 
was now the Morsperger's lance which struck Ar- 
nold's shield in the centre. Arnold wavered for a 
second, for the thrust was so powerful that the splin- 
ters flew far and wide ; but at the same instant, Ar- 
nold with well directed aim had struck Veit's helmet 
with such force that he was unhorsed and fell back- 
wards. A cloud of dust hid them while the multi- 
tude were enthusiastically hailing the victor. When 
it cleared away, horse and rider were already up, and 
[io6] 



-^ THE TOURNAMENT 4^ 

Veit, bleeding from a wound in the face, snarled at 
his conqueror, " We shall meet again." 

" There will be ample opportunity on our way to 
the North, I hope," replied Arnold. Veit made no 
reply. He had no intention of going there, for 
there was not sufficient plunder among the savages 
to tempt him. The meeting, however, took place 
at another time, as we shall see. 

Arnold, who had come to Basle with borrowed 
armor, won not less than five prizes that day. When 
the tournament was finished he sent back his steed 
and armor to their owners at Zurich and took for 
himself only those which he had won from Veit. 
He declined the rest as well as the money with which 
by the rules of the tournament the vanquished might 
redeem their property. 



[^07] 



Chapter VII 
Storming of a Lithuanian Castle 

FOLLOWED by a brilliant array of fifteen 
hundred knights and horsemen, among 
whom was Arnold of Winkelried, Duke 
Leopold set out from Little Basle to cooper- 
ate with the forces of the Teutonic Order in the 
far North. Moving from eight to ten hours a day, 
the march being occasionally interrupted by military 
exercises, the army passed through several small 
countries, territories of the Church, and free imperial 
cities, until it reached Marienburg, the seat of the 
Order. 

After the subjugation of the Prussians still worse 
heathen remained. These were the Lithuanians, 
who had extended their domain to the Black Sea 
by repeated conquests from Russia. Their country 
was flat and covered with marshes, steppes, and sand 
dunes. In its impenetrable primeval forests, filled 
with gigantic trees, whose branches closely interlaced, 
roamed bears and wolves, elks and buffaloes. 
[io8] 



-^ A LITHUANIAN CASTLE 4^ 

It was not the purpose of the Order to subjugate 
the Lithuanian people, but to restore quiet in the 
Order's own territory and protect it from continual 
ravages by pillaging hordes. A strong boundary wall 
had been constructed to prevent their incursions, 
but as this had proved insufficient it was determined 
they should be attacked in their own country. 

The leaders of the Lithuanians at that time were 
the brothers Kynstutt and Olgjerd. Kynstutt was 
an enemy not to be despised ; his restless energy 
had long kept the Order busy. The heathen army 
was between thirty and forty thousand strong, and 
among them were Russian auxiliaries and excellent 
archers. The Lithuanians carried heavy battle axes, 
though their principal weapons were the pike and 
shield, and they also had many horsemen. Not- 
withstanding their numbers, they were not the 
equals of the Order in military skill, whether in 
siege or field. Kynstutt knew this very well and 
for that reason would not risk battle in the open. 
He conducted his pillaging expeditions over as wide 
an area as possible. At one time he would swiftly 
and suddenly fall upon the Order's supply trains 
and slaughter the guards ; at others he would burn 
castles and seek by every means in his power to 

[109] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

prevent the building of new ones. He erected 
castles himself, and as fast as they were destroyed 
by the knights he would rebuild them. The three 
most important of these castles were those of 
Wielun, Pisten, and Kauen. The last was the most 
remote and was the strongest, being built of stone. 

Winrich of Kniprode, grand master of the Order, 
was completing his plans for the destruction of this 
castle, when Duke Leopold of Austria arrived at 
Marienburg with his brilliant array of knights — a 
strong and welcome reinforcement. The route of 
the army took them past both the castles of Wielun 
and Pisten, which were left unmolested. A landing 
was effected upon the island of Kauen, and a camp 
was established in which all the supplies were stored. 
A bridge of boats was also constructed to the right 
bank of the Niemen, where the castle stood upon 
a tongue of land — upon the spot where now stands 
the city of Kovno.^ The building of this bridge 
took three days, and before it was finished Kynstutt 
appeared with an army for the relief of the castle. 
He fell back, however, after a brief encounter and 
occupied the heights on the land side, east of the 

1 Kovno is the capital of the government of Kovno, at the junction of the Vilia 
and Niemen rivers in Russia. 
[IIO] 



•^ A LITHUANIAN CASTLE -^ 

castle. To prevent him from making a sudden 
descent upon the camp, a breastwork of stone and 
wooden stakes was made, stretching in the shape of 
a bow from the Vilia to the Niemen. The flower 
of the army was placed in this intrenched camp. 
Another part was assigned to guard the supplies, 
and the remainder occupied themselves with the 
management of the siege machines. Missiles from 
the castle could not reach far enough to disturb the 
work, which progressed under the direction of a 
master smith and carpenter. 

The part of the castle called " the house " was 
built of wood. The fortified part consisted of high, 
strong walls, constructed in a parallelogram about 
the house. The garrison was amply provided with 
means of defence. Waydott, son of Kynstutt, was 
chief in command, and in his garrison were forty 
boyars, who were warriors of unusual distinction and 
wealth. There were also many Russian archers. 
The garrison in all numbered between four and five 
thousand men. 

After all the preparations were made, an advance 
was ordered from the two rivers for assault at the 
main point, where the tumler was already at work. 
The principal feature of this machine was a huge 

[III] 



4^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

tree-trunk, a hundred feet in length, suspended by- 
chains. It was drawn back by hand and then pro- 
pelled against the wall with terrific force. At the 
head of it was a sickle-shaped iron, for tearing away- 
dislodged stones. As the tumler could only be used 
in the immediate vicinity of the enemy, its operators 
■were protected by a low building called " the cat." 
It had strong sides and a roof to which the chains 
were attached. The whole rested upon wooden 
block wheels by which it could be pushed up to the 
walls. 

An assault was directed against a tower by the 
outer gate. Its defenders were by no means inac- 
tive. They hurled huge rocks from the wall upon 
the roof of " the cat," and tried to tear it to pieces 
with long, hooked poles. They also poured burning 
pitch upon it, but as the roof was covered with wet, 
undressed skins, it resisted the fire. At last the 
outer gate tower gave way before the continuous 
concussion and fell in a mass of ruins. 

Following up this first success, the besiegers pre- 
pared for an attack upon the wall itself. For this 
purpose the helepolis was employed. This machine 
was also called the ebenhohe because it had to be of 
even height with the wall. The colossus was made 

[112] 



^ A LITHUANIAN CASTLE -^ 

of stout beams and rested upon a base forty feet 
square. It consisted of three stories. The first 
was occupied by the, men who moved the machine 
forward on rollers. The second was arranged as 
a drawbridge, which could be connected with the 
wall when needed. The uppermost was for use by 
soldiers, who by means of the drawbridge might 
drive the enemy from the wall. Like the tumlery 
the helepolis was protected from fire by wet skins. 

One of these formidable machines was employed 
on both sides against the castle. At one side, the 
garrison fired burning pitch-besmeared arrows upon 
the monster, and tried to prevent the use of the 
drawbridge with long poles ; but a whole section of 
wall upon which they were standing gave way, and 
they were buried in the ruins. Some of the besieg- 
ers also were killed. 

In the meantime Olgjerd arrived with a force of 
boyars and stationed them along the Vilia, his brother 
Kynstutt still occupying the heights. The latter 
had an interview with the Grand Master by arrange- 
ment. He hoped to intimidate him by threatening 
to join Olgjerd, and boasted that he could annihilate 
his army. The Grand Master offered him battle, 
but Kynstutt only pointed contemptuously to the 

8 [1,3] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

well-fortified camp of the Christians. He then of- 
fered to level the breastworks, but Kynstutt made 
no reply to him. 

At last the Christians advanced for general assault, 
intending to take advantage of the numerous breaches 
in the wall. The Lithuanians, however, had erected 
strong barricades behind them, and the archers sent 
such a deadly shower of arrows into their ranks that 
they met with serious losses and had to fall back. 

It was already the fourteenth day of the siege. 
The tumler was kept steadily at work making 
breaches in the walls, but the garrison as steadily 
erected new barricades. The helepolis was moved up 
to one of these breaches. The garrison greeted it 
with fiery arrows and hurled burning bunches of 
fagots upon it. The wet skins this time were of no 
avail. The flames mounted high, but while the 
occupants were seeking to make their escape the two 
managers of the machine seized the burning bunches, 
one by one, with hooks, and hurled them back, which 
fired the garrison's barricades and destroyed them 
before they could extinguish the flames. The burn- 
ing machine was replaced by another. The attack 
upon it had just commenced when the wall suddenly 
began to waver. Those upon it had barely time 
["4] 



^ A LITHUANIAN CASTLE ^ 

to escape when it fell. The troops raised a trium- 
phant shout and could not be prevented from rush- 
ing through the wide breach. The Grand Master 
ordered them back, but it was too late, and the pas- 
sion of battle, which had become all the more furious 
as the news of this fresh success spread, could not 
be curbed. In an army composed of various nation- 
alities each wanted the honor of being first to lead 
the way. The English contingent claimed it because 
they carried the standard of Saint George, but in all 
their wars with the heathen the Germans carried it 
also ; and as Duke Leopold of Austria was the most 
distinguished among the latter, the Grand Master 
assigned the leadership to him. As the Duke raised 
the sacred symbol, the gate which led out of the 
castle to the Vilia was suddenly opened, and a part 
of the garrison made a bold rush with the inten- 
tion of cutting their way through. Leopold and his 
knights hurled themselves upon the desperate enemy. 
Arnold of Winkelried was one of the first to follow 
him. While engaged in a fearful hand to hand con- 
test, Arnold noticed a Lithuanian furiously aiming a 
blow with his battle axe at the helmet of the princely 
standard-bearer. With lightning swiftness he swung 
his sword and clove the heathen's skull. 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

The Lithuanians were forced back and the mas- 
sacre began. The infuriated heathen set fire to great 
piles of fagots smeared with pitch ; the flames 
spread to the interior of the castle, and many Chris- 
tians as well as heathen were burned to death. 
Blinded with rage, the combatants strove with each 
other in the fire and smoke, man with man. The 
Lithuanian pikes had little effect upon the mail of 
the knights, who swept everything before them with 
their swords, but battle axes found their way through 
the mail and many a fallen heathen was avenged. 
Mercilessly steel clashed against steel. Terrible 
scenes were enacted, but at last the banner of Saint 
George flew from the turret of the castle, announcing 
the victory of the Christians. Kynstutt and Olgjerd 
witnessed the assault from the neighboring heights, 
but made no effort to come to the help of the gar- 
rison ; for during the battle a considerable force of 
the Grand Master's army was held in reserve to give 
the two brothers a hot reception if they advanced. 

The Christian army celebrated its victory by sing- 
ing the hymn, " Christ is Arisen," and closed with 
the chorale, " Let us all be joyous for the heathen 
have been punished." On the next day it was 
already Easter, and high mass was celebrated, at 
[ii6] 



^ A LITHUANIAN CASTLE -^ 

which the Bishop of Samland officiated. About 
two hundred Christians, among them seven brethren 
of the Order, were killed during the siege. Many 
a one of Leopold's army never returned home, but 
was buried in unconsecrated heathen soil. The 
Lithuanians lost two thousand men, some of whom 
were burned in the castle fire. The rest were taken 
prisoners, except Waydot, Kynstutt's son, who made 
his escape with thirty-six boyars. He embraced 
Christianity later and received the baptismal name 
of Henry, after which he went to the palace of the 
Emperor Charles the Fourth at Prague, where he 
was very kindly received, and remained many years. 
Before the army left Kauen the castle was completely 
demolished. 

Duke Leopold wishing to thank the knight 
who had saved him from the axe of the murderous 
heathen, summoned all his men and requested the 
unknown knight to declare himself, but Arnold of 
Winkelried, caring little for princely favor, paid no 
attention to the Duke's request. He had saved the 
Duke's life, little dreaming that he himself would 
die a heroic death fighting against him at a later 
time. The Duke returned to his home filled with 
proud satisfaction at the victory, and Arnold was 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

no less satisfied. The song of victory, " Let us all 
be joyous," continually rang in his ears. He often 
recalled Father Vincentius's advice that man should 
devote the inestimable boon of life to good works 
as an offering to God. Since his own life had been 
preserved amid these terrible scenes by the divine 
goodness, he resolved to devote it henceforth to the 
service of humanity and the fatherland. Mail and 
sword might rust, but his purpose should be main- 
tained ; and when the fatherland needed him he 
would again seize his arms to fight in the ranks of 
the people, not as a murderous knight, but as a 
plain, dutiful citizen. 

After Arnold's return to his native Stans he spent 
his days in managing his little property. Soon he 
married a gentle, lovely woman, who brought joy 
into his life and relieved his anxieties. In the 
course of the years beautiful children came to them; 
and the aforetime restless warrior found his greatest 
happiness in peaceful family life. 



[118] 



Chapter VIII 
The Beggar Monk 



1^ — j f — s\HE Emperor Charles the Fourth died in 
the year 1378 and was succeeded by his 
son Wenzel. Duke Leopold was made 
governor of Upper and Lower Swabia, 
which gave him great power among the nobles and 
the cities. The relations between the latter mean- 
while had grown more and more strained. The 
attendants of the knights flocked to the cities in 
ever increasing numbers and were cordially welcomed. 
As their privileges continued to diminish, the knights 
organized against the cities, and Duke Leopold 
encouraged them in their action. 

The Duke knew that the nobles were on his side 
to a man. He regarded it therefore as a favorable 
time to break up the League and restore the old 
authority of Austria. The warning voices of some 
well-meaning counsellors were stifled by the em- 
bittered nobles of Aargau and Thurgau and those 
aggrieved knights who had suflFered so much at the 
hands of the League. 

[i»9] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

In June, 1386, Duke Leopold went to Baden, 
where he was assembling an army of knights. 
Besides his own vassals, knights came from adjoin- 
ing countries with their horsemen, as well as the 
Margrave of Baden and the counts of Wiirtemberg. 
The army was nine thousand strong, including a 
large contingent of foot soldiers. The League 
naturally armed its followers and barricaded the 
cities. Zurich was the first point threatened. It 
was only a few miles from Baden and was the bul- 
wark of the League. Its people soon learned that 
the Baron of Bonstetten, one of the ablest of the 
Austrian generals, was advancing against the city to 
lay siege to it. Although Zurich at that time was 
supplied with good walls and gates, it had not suffi- 
cient fighting men to withstand a siege any great 
length of time, and so had to send to the Four Forest 
Cantons for help. As soon as the request was re- 
ceived faurteen hundred men were sent. Rather 
than remain in idleness the League's auxiliaries un- 
dertook expeditions into Kiburg and Thurgau and 
captured supplies in these unfriendly places, which 
would be needed during the siege. 

Not far from Zurich and a little off the road lead- 
ing to Baden, there was a wretched inn which served 
[120I 



^ THE BEGGAR MONK ^ 

as a lodging house for all kinds of lawless adventur- 
ers and a rendezvous for the robber knights of the 
neighborhood. On the night of June third, during 
a fearful thunder storm which had raged for hours, 
there was a knock upon its rickety window. The 
hostess, an ill-favored old woman, opened the door 
and found two knights dismounting from their 
horses. 

" Put our steeds in your stable. Mother Ruschen, 
and give them some fodder," said one of them, ad- 
dressing her familiarly. He and his companion 
then entered the apartment, whose entire furnishings 
consisted of a few wooden tables and benches, and 
shelves upon 'which were filthy bottles and glasses. 
The two newcomers were our old acquaintances, 
Jorgel of Reisenstein and Conrad of Waltihof. 

" He has not come yet," said the latter, glancing 
around the miserable place which was so dimly 
lighted by a half burned candle that only objects 
close at hand could be discerned. " I begin to 
think we have come too late." 

"This beastly storm may have detained him, as 
it did us," said Jorgel. 

" No storm could stop him, even if it rained 
rocks and poured down fire from the sky," replied 

[121] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Conrad. " I am afraid he was angry at our delay 
and has gone on his way home alone." 

" Mother Ruschen," said Jorgel to the old 
woman, who had just come in, " has the Morsper- 
ger been here ? " She replied in the negative. 
"Then bring us some wine, the best you have," 
said Jorgel. 

"And the dice," added Conrad. 

The old woman set a bottle of wine and two 
glasses on the table at which her guests were seated, 
and brought the dice ; whereupon the two began 
playing and soon forgot everything else, while the old 
woman, as was her usual practice, sat by the fireplace 
and dozed. Suddenly she awoke. The quarrelling 
of the two players, and their shouts of exulta- 
tion or curses, as one lost and the other won, had 
not disturbed her in the least, but the tramp of 
horses outside, which the excited players had not 
noticed, the old woman heard plainly. She arose 
and notified them that the man they were expecting 
had come. She then left the room, found Veit and 
his attendants just dismounting, and informed him 
his friends were waiting for him. 

" Good," said Veit. " I cannot stay long with 
you this time. Just give the horses a bundle of 
hay ; and a good stout drink to the men." 

[122] 



•$• THE BEGGAR MONK -^ 

As the men were leading the horses to the stable 
the old woman noticed that one of them was very 
lame. Veit went inside and was greeted by both 
the young men. They were still under the excite- 
ment of play and prepared to resume it. 

" Put up your dice," exclaimed Veit, harshly. 
"A pest upon it ! Do you not know I have come 
straight from Baden, and that, too, on matters of im- 
portance, and here you two fools are courting the 
wench Fortune? I am bringing great news." 

The two laid aside the dice. Veit sat down on 
the bench and replied to their questioning glances : 
" The day after to-morrow we must join the army." 
The news did not seem to surprise either of them. 
Jorgel, indeed, said with a yawn, " It 's an infernally 
doubtful pleasure, this going to Zurich ! " 

" There is nothing in it for us," said Conrad. 

" Blockheads ! " said Veit, with a twinkle in his 
eye. Then he resumed in a lower tone : " The 
siege is only a sham manoeuvre, if you must know. 
Bonstetter's plan is simply to keep the Zurichers 
busy and to decoy the Waldstatters, who have been 
running all over Kiburg and Thurgau, back into the 
city." 

Jorgel and Conrad looked at each other. " And 
the Duke ? " they asked, in one voice. 

[123] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

" Wait ! Here is the real business," said Veit. 
" With the large part of the army and the flower of 
the nobles, among whom we shall be, the Duke will 
secretly and quietly march past Wellingen and Brem- 
garten to Sempach, on the left bank of the Reuss, 
and afterwards advance upon Lucerne, to give the 
burghers a needed chastising, and set the League a 
terrible example. He will deal lightly with the 
peasant rabble, but Zurich will have to make the 
best bargain it can." 

" We will be there," exclaimed Jorgel. 

"A masterpiece of generalship," said Conrad. 

" Pst ! " warned Veit, for the old woman was re- 
turning. She was about to provide them with wine, 
but Veit beckoned to her and said : " We have no 
wish for a carousal this time. Mother Ruschen. I 
will quench my thirst with a good drink from my 
own cellar, and don't care to spoil the taste of it 
now." Turning to his companions, he added : " You 
shall be my guests to-night. We must leave for 
home to-morrow at an early hour. We will make 
preparations for a little ride ; it is bad luck that I 
cannot ride the black horse. The beast went sud- 
denly lame, and that is why I wait here so long. 
It must have been bewitched." 
[124] 



4- THE BEGGAR MONK ^ 

" Yes, yes ! " said Jorgel, " I have no doubt 
witchery is back of it. I wonder who could have 
done it ! " 

" What is bewitched once is likely to be bewitched 
again," said Conrad. 

" That is what is troubling me," said the knight. 

" Why not depend upon the church's ban and 
consult your chaplain ? The priests understand 
this witchery business." 

" To be sure ! I never thought of that," said the 
old woman, who had listened to the conversation. 
" I know a pious father who can help your horse, 
noble sir." 

" Where is he ? " all three exclaimed together. 

Mother Ruschen pointed to a dark corner of the 
room. They went there and found a figure stretched 
out on the bench apparently sound asleep. 

" Ho ! wake up, reverend father," cried the old 
woman, shaking him roughly. As he raised him- 
self and looked up, the knights forgot all about the 
horse, and with furious execrations dragged him to 
his feet. His face was half hidden in a cowl. 

" Who are you ? and how did you come here ? " 
thundered Veit. 

" You ought to know who I am by my attire," 



-^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

was the quiet answer. " I belong to the Dominican 
beggar order, and wander round seeking alms for 
the poor. The storm overtook me and I came to 
this place and found shelter by chance." 

" We have had bad luck with our secrets lately,'* 
said Veit, with a significant glance at his companions. 

" Why should we care whether he lay there 
with open ears, or slept like a marmot ? " said 
Jorgel. 

" We will not let this one off with an oath," said 
Conrad, gesticulating furiously. 

" No, that will not do this time," said Veit, grimly. 
With that he tore off the monk's cowl and looked 
him sharply in the face. " I think I have seen this 
pious man before. I cannot tell where or when. It 
may have been some time ago, but we have met 
before, and it could not have been a very pleasant 
meeting, I fancy, from the effect your face has upon 
me. Nevertheless, good father, you must go along 
with us. As foresight is the parent of wisdom, I 
will find a safe and cosy place for you in my castle, 
where you can remain until the storm of war has 
subsided and Duke Leopold is once more estab- 
lished in the land which rightfully belongs to him. 
Pray fervently that it may be soon accomplished, 
[126] 



^ THE BEGGAR MONK ^ 

for you will not see the sun again until it is. You 
understand me." 

During these words the monk, who was tall and 
powerful, quickly glanced at the speaker and his 
companions and assumed an air of defiance. A 
wild gleam of wrath shot from his eyes, and he ap- 
peared as if about to attack them ; but prudence 
prevailed, for the struggle would have been too 
uneven. He offered no resistance when they took 
him from the house. The horses were brought out 
and mounted. Veit rode ahead and the monk be- 
tween the other two. The attendants brought up 
the rear, leading the lame horse slowly along. 

The storm had ceased, but the sky was still over- 
cast with dark clouds. Two hours later they reached 
castle Morsperg and entered by a drawbridge low- 
ered across a deep moat. The keep was below 
the watchtower, and an opening with a grated door, 
which also served as window, led into it. The 
monk was placed in this dungeon without further 
ado, and the robber knights betook themselves to 
the principal castle apartment, where the lady of 
Morsperg had spread a repast of roasted venison. 

Greatly as Veit was feared on the highroads, and 
careful as his best friends were not to anger him. 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

this barbarian was little respected in his own castle. 
His energetic spouse managed things there to suit 
herself. Of late he had been forced to submit hum- 
bly to her strong sceptre. He was under the minor 
ban of the Church for his evil doings. The bishop 
had kept him subject to it for three years ; and the 
noble lady, who sought to make reparation for his 
wickedness by her own piety, suffered even more 
than if she had been under the ban herself, for the 
chaplain who used to perform service there came no 
longer. Since that had happened, Veit hardly dared 
look his wife in the face and meet her injured, re- 
proachful expression. He had also felt her dis- 
pleasure in other ways. He was restrained in eating 
and drinking when guests were at the castle, and she 
strictly forbade dicing. But to-day the mistress's 
flinty heart apparently relented. She lavished the 
best wine in the cellar upon the guests, and even 
brought the dice for them. The astonished husband 
attributed this change to his approaching departure, 
but there 'was an entirely different reason for it. 

The noble lady had heard of the monk's impris- 

'onment from the servants. She could not endure 

such an indignity to a servant of the Church. She 

was not actuated by piety so much as by the fear 

[128] 



-^ THE BEGGAR MONK <> 

that the ban would be prolonged by this new out- 
rage, should it become known. She had played the 
part of a generous housewife only to divert the 
attention of her husband, and as soon as Veit and 
his companions were absorbed in gormandizing, she 
took a huge bunch of keys and hastened to the 
dungeon. 

The monk had heard of the ban resting upon the 
castle, and when the lady implored him to celebrate 
mass and hear confession, from which she had already 
been barred a year and a day, he became embar- 
rassed. " I dare not violate the stern decree of the 
Church. You know you have no right to ask for 
any of its sacred offices, and I have no right to per- 
form them," was his answer. 

" Can I not enter the chapel just once, for brief 
devotion ? It would not be wrong for you to pray 
for me. 1 can set you free, and it shall be done this 
very night if you will not refuse me this consola- 
tion. The attendant who keeps the watch is a pious 
soul, and is entirely devoted and obedient to me. 
At my command he will open the gate and let down 
the bridge for you." 

At these words the monk's scruples vanished, for 
great results depended upon his speedy release. He 

9 [,29] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

gladly followed her into the desolate little chapel, 
which was directly over the dungeon. Half an hour 
later he breathed the air of freedom and was greeted 
by the morning star in a cloudless sky. With flying 
steps he rushed back over the same course he had 
come, past Mother Ruschen's wretched inn, and 
thence through a narrow pass to the highroad 
which led to Zurich. It was broad daylight when 
the monk entered the city, but without stopping to 
rest, he hastened to the shop of Florian Habli, the 
smith. 

"Why, Arnold!" exclaimed Florian, in surprise 
at the sudden appearance of the supposed monk. 
" I have been very anxious about you," he added. 
" God be praised that you are safe back from your 
daring journey. I did not expect you so soon." 

" I have not been far," replied Arnold. " A thun- 
der storm drove me to an inn on the way, and there 
I learned all the plans of the Duke without the trouble 
of going to Baden. I have been very fortunate. I 
will tell you the rest another time. Now procure me 
a fast steed while I take off this mummery and leave 
it with you. I must summon all our people back 
from Thurgau. Every hour's delay is dangerous. 
The fate of the League hangs upon a hair." 
[130] 



Chapter IX 
Winkelried's Heroic Death 




N the eighth of July, Duke Leopold ap- 
peared before the little city of Sempach 
with fourteen hundred knights and horse- 
men and several thousand foot-soldiers. 
He pitched his camp at the edge of a forest on a 
height facing the city. Before subduing Lucerne, 
he had resolved to teach Sempach a terrible lesson 
and punish it for its rebellious spirit. For use in 
the forthcoming attack he had brought with him 
huge machines, the first to throw heavy missiles. 
Partly to find a place where they could be set up, 
and partly to cut off the supplies of the besieged, he 
sent his infantry to drive off the peasants, after com- 
pelling them to cut their ripening corn. The nobles 
took great delight in mistreating the harvesters and 
jeering at the besieged. Veit of Morsperg would 
ride up to the walls and contemptuously order them 
to bring out breakfast for the harvesters ; and Jor- 
gel would point to the loaded wagons, with the threat 
that all of them should be hanged. 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Hi@W those in Thurgau learned Duke Leopold's 
plans,is no secret to the -reader. They quickly left 
for their menaced homes, marched day and night, 
and on the way were assured of the good-will of 
Zug, Glarus, and other places. On the morning of 
July ninth they reached a wood, called the Meier- 
holz, and there occupied a strong position. Just as 
Duke Leopold had issued orders for the attack upon 
Sempach to begin in earnest, he was surprised by the 
news of the arrival of the Confederates, whom he sup- 
posed to be far away from there. He called a coun- 
cil of war to decide whether battle should be given 
at once or be deferred. The older and more expe- 
rienced knights, who knew the courage and iron reso- 
lution of the Confederates, voted for the latter plan, 
and advised the Duke first of all to get into com- 
munication with Bonstetten's division. The young 
hot-heads outvoted them, however, and the Duke 
made the fatal decision to give battle at once. He 
took up his position on a piece of meadow land, 
gently sloping toward Sempach. At the request of 
those knights who were so certain of victory, and who 
wanted to secure the honor of the day for them- 
selves alone, the foot-soldiers were placed in the rear 
near the baggage trains. The larger part of the 
[132] 



-$• WINKELRIED'S DEATH ^ 

horsemen were formed in three divisions, and as 
each came into action they were to dismount and 
fight on foot. The first of these divisions was 
formed in a square, twenty or thirty ranks deep, 
and armed with harpoon-shaped spears, about five 
metres in length, so arranged that one overlapped 
the next, thus apparently making the square 
impenetrable. 

It was now midday. The sun beat fiercely down 
upon the heavily armored knights. Some in the 
middle ranks fainted ; some died from suffocation. 
In all other ways the Austrian position was advan- 
tageous, for they occupied the higher point and could 
hurl themselves down upon the enemy. The Con- 
federates, fearing the arrival of Bonstetten, rested a 
brief spell in the Meierholz and then advanced for 
immediate attack. They were between fifteen and 
sixteen hundred strong and were armed with swords, 
pikes, and halberds. Their leader, Schultheiss of 
Gundoldingen, formed them in wedge shape, the 
point toward the enemy. In this order they fell 
upon their knees and implored divine help. The 
haughty knights, supposing that they were begging 
for mercy, taunted them. They soon discovered 
their mistake, for hardly had they risen to their feet, 

[133] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

before they rushed forward with a mighty shout and 
the fearful blasts of their battle-horns. The Lucer- 
ners formed the point of the wedge and attempted to 
force a way through the enemy, but the Austrians 
stood as immovable as a wall, helm to helm, mail 
to mail, shield to shield, and between the shields a 
forest of spears, which resisted the attack. The 
Urners next advanced. " Break down their spears ; 
they are hollow ! " shouted their leader ; but the 
broken spears were replaced by those behind them, 
and the Urners gave way as the Lucerners had done. 
The brave Schwyzers fared no better, and in falling 
back suffered severe loss from the showers of arrows 
shot at them from behind hedges and bushes. 

The knights felt sure of victory, and the Confed- 
erates were losing confidence. More than sixty of 
their bravest, among them their leader, were lying 
dead on the field ; the knights had not yet lost a 
man, and their position remained unbroken. Every 
one in the Confederate ranks realized that it was a 
critical moment, and none more fully than Arnold 
of Winkelried, who led the men of the Nidwald. 
A decision must be made instantly, or Confederate 
blood would be uselessly shed and the fruits of the 
glorious victory of Morgarten would be wasted. 
[134] 



^ WINKELRIED'S DEATH ^ 

Thus thought Arnold, and he made the decision at 
once. There are things more important than life. 
He had not shrunk from the poisonous breath of 
the plague. He had looked death in the face count- 
less times in foreign wars. The time had now come 
for him to offer himself up for freedom and the 
fatherland. 

" Brethren in arms ! " he loudly shouted, " care 
for my wife and children. I will open a path for 
you. Follow me." 

With inevitable death before him he dashed for- 
ward, threw himself upon the enemy's lances, and 
bent them down to the earth by the weight of his 
body. Pierced and gashed in every limb, he yielded 
up his heroic soul. His followers rushed into the 
gap and slashed right and left with their swords and 
halberds. In vain the knights attempted to close 
up, for other Confederates were constantly widening 
the gap. Strokes fell thick and fast; helmets and 
heads were split at a blow, and the victims fell and 
were trodden underfoot. Amidst this terrible slaugh- 
ter the Confederates* wedge steadily forced its way 
deeper and deeper Into the square. It was soon in 
confusion. The victors forced their way through to 
the enemy's standard. The Urners captured the 

[135] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Hapsburg lions ; and the Lucerners, the standards 
of Alsace and Tyrol. As the Austrian standard- 
bearer fell, the standard was seized by Ulrich of 
Aarburg, who defended it with his life. "Austria 
to the rescue ! " were his last words, as he fell bleed- 
ing from many wounds. The words reached the 
ear of Leopold, who was in command of the second 
division. No one could restrain him from plung- 
ing into the thick of the fight. " Better die with 
honor than Hve in dishonor," he replied to those who 
were entreating him to save himself. He rushed 
forward, seized the blood-sprinkled banner and 
waved it high in air as the slaughter went on around 
him. In the midst of it he fell dead. 

When the knights saw their leader fall, they gave 
up all hope and rushed, panic-stricken, to their 
horses ; but their attendants had already mounted 
them and fled. The third division was not in the 
battle, and had made its escape when it realized all 
was lost. The foot-soldiers were driven in every 
direction by the Confederates. Thus was the 
great battle fought by the little army of the Four 
Cantons against this strong army of knights and 
nobles. 

The battle had lasted all day, and the Confederates 
['36] 



^ WINKELRIED'S DEATH ^ 

were too exhausted to pursue the defeated enemy. 
After kneeling on the field and giving thanks for 
the victory, they took possession of the enemy's 
camp. Splendid arms and equipments fell into their 
hands, as well as eighteen standards. Victors and 
vanquished lost famous warriors, and among them 
nearly all their leaders. One hundred and twenty 
of the Confederates were killed, but the Austrian 
loss was much heavier, nearly two thousand having 
been slain. Besides Duke Leopold, three hundred 
and fifty princes, counts, great barons, and nobles 
had fallen, among them the Margrave of Baden- 
Hochberg, the count palatine of Wiirtemberg and 
Teck, and the counts of Hohenzollern, Fiirstenberg, 
Aarberg, Schwartzenberg, and Thierstein. Several 
noble families were almost wiped out. 

Following the old practice, the victors remained 
three days upon the field. The third day was 
devoted to the burial of the dead. Duke Leopold 
and twenty-seven knights and nobles were interred 
in the Church of the monastery of Konigsfeld in 
Aargau. The bodies of other nobles were removed 
to their homes, and the rest of the dead were buried 
in a great trench. 

A simple chapel was erected on the spot where 

[^37] 



^ ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED ^ 

Leopold's body was found, which was dedicated 
July fifth, 1387. The titles and coats-of-arms of 
the nobles were placed upon the walls. In the 
centre stood a cross between two memorials, one 
representing Duke Leopold, the other the Lucerne 
leader, both in the act of prayer. A picture over 
the door commemorated Winkelried's deed. 

Hans Halbfutter of Lucerne, an eye-witness of 
the battle of Sempach, commemorated the victory 
in a poem, wherein Arnold of Winkelried's heroic 
death is described. In the learned world it is still 
questioned whether he performed this deed; some 
historians have even denied the existence of William 
Tell and relegated him to the realm of legend. But 
the name of Arnold of Winkelried, the savior of 
his fatherland, still lives in the hearts of the Swiss 
people. A statue has been erected near the fountain 
in the market place of Stans which represents him 
at the moment of grasping the enemy's spears. His 
birthplace and coat of mail are also shown in 
Stans, and a chapel has been erected to his 
memory. 

On the ninth of July, 1886, five hundred years 
after the battle of Sempach, the Swiss held a national 
festival in honor of Arnold of Winkelried, the 
[>38] 



^ WINKELRIED'S DEATH -^ 

hero who exhibited a manly courage, self-devotion, 
and love of fatherland which secured the victory of 
the Confederates over their strongest enemy, and 
raised Switzerland to the position of a powerful 
Commonwealth. 



[139 



^ppen^ix 



The following is a chronological statement of the princi- 
pal events in Swiss-Austrian history connected with this 
narrative : 

1273 Rudolph elected Emperor. 

1 29 1 Rudolph's death. 

1 29 1 Formation of the Everlasting League. 

1292 Adolph elected Emperor. 

1298 Albert of Hapsburg elected Emperor. 

1308 Murder of Alfred. 

1308 Henry of Luxemburg elected Emperor. 

1313 Death of Henry. 

1315 Austrian defeat at Morgarten. 

1 3 1 5 Everlasting League renewed. 

1336 Civic War at Zurich. 

1336 Rudolph Brun made burgomaster of Zurich. 

1 3 5 1 Everlasting League enlarged. 

1386 Austrian defeat at Sempach. 

I 3 86 Death of Winkelried. 

1389 The Seven Years' peace. 



AUG 13 1308 



/ 



